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inside cover stays white
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Manual 1 – The Game Guide
Installation 6
Technical Support 7
Character Creation 8
The Interface 13
Multiplayer Games 29

Manual 2 – Volo’s Guide to Baldur’s Gate

Part I: Background 37
Overview of the Realms 38
The Sword Coast 38
Candlekeep 41
Baldur’s Gate 43
Beregost 48
The Friendly Arm Inn 49
Power Groups 52
Major Characters 57
Monsters 62
Time 68
Part II: Rules 70
AD&D Rules 70
Character Actions 72
Combat 76
Experience and Gaining Levels 83
Character Attributes 84
Magic and the Spell System 96
Spells 98
Mage 99
Priest 115
Equipment 126
Weapons 128
Magical Items and Treasure 131
Tables 135

Credits 148
Index 152

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1
2 ™
Introduction
Welcome to Baldur’s Gate!
ow that you’ve cracked open the box and are ready to slip

N that first CD into your computer, it seems like a good time

to say welcome to Baldur’s Gate and the AD&D 2nd
Edition electronic game world.
Right now there’s probably two questions running through
your mind – what’s this AD&D 2nd Edition thing and who’s the
guy writing this anyway?
Baldur’s Gate is a huge and varied computer role-playing game
– but the game didn’t happen out of thin air. Baldur’s Gate uses
the AD&D 2nd Edition rules, the oldest and most popular role-
playing game rules in the paper-and-pen world. This isn’t just any
role-playing game, this is the grand father of them all.
So who am I? Well, somebody had to write the 2nd Edition
rules back in ’89 and I and some other lucky souls were
entrusted with that job. Back then, we were creating strictly for
the paper-and-pencil, sit-around-the-table, face-to-face game.
There was consideration to the needs of a computer game.
Sure, it was something we had all thought about, but there was
too much to do to spend time worrying about it – not that we
knew how we would accomplish it anyway.
How times change. Now, almost ten years later, I’m sitting on
the other side, making computer games – and I’m amazed at
what Baldur’s Gate has done. Baldur's Gate brings the AD&D
game alive on the computer like no other game before it – and
that’s no small task! It is a testament to the depth and richness
of the AD&D system that even today's computers are challenged
to capture the entire range of flexibility allowed within the AD&D
game, and it is a testament to Baldur’s Gate that it contains so
much of that richness.
Still, face-to-face games don’t have a computer for a Dungeon
Master. Computers can’t make judgement calls (and would you
want one to?). That means there are some changes that couldn’t
be avoided. Even in these changes though, Baldur’s Gate is true
to the spirit of AD&D gaming. We wanted both experiences, paper
and electronic, to be equally fun.
Really this introduction is to thank you for playing our
game.You playing – and having fun – is what this is all about.

And I hope you do.

David "Zeb" Cook

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3
What’s Included in the
Game Manuals

I
n the first
manual, The
Game Guide,
we delve into
actually playing the
game of Baldur’s
Gate– creating a
character,
manipulating your
characters in the
gameworld,
interpreting what
you see, and playing
with other players in
multiplayer mode.
The second
manual, Volo’s
Guide to Baldur’s
Gate, helps set the
stage for the game
story, and goes into
detail on the rules
that define what
Yes, ye shall find many useful tidbits within
happens in the game
world. Many of these this morass of information that Volo has seen
things are not fit to call a book. Of course, I shall clarify
absolutely essential to as needed. –Elminster
know in order to play,
but knowing them “As needed” but not “as wanted” or “as
may help you to get requested” eh wizard? So be it, scribble
more enjoyment out where you must – Volo
of the game.
Unless specifically stated, everything that you read in
either manual is applicable to both single player and
multiplayer games. Baldur’s Gate multiplayer allows you
to adventure with up to five friends through the same
storyline as in singleplayer mode, with a group leader and
the computer acting as the Dungeon Master.

4 ™
The Game Guide
Manual I

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How to Install and Start Playing

T
o install Baldur’s Gate, first insert the CD-ROM labelled Baldur’s
Gate Disc 1 into your CD-ROM drive and follow the on screen
instructions. If your Autorun is not enabled, click on the icon
representing your CD-ROM Drive under ‘My Computer’. This will
bring up a listing of the files on Baldur’s Gate Disc 1. Find
AUTORUN.EXE and double click to launch the install application.
After installing the game, other options will be available on the
launching menu:
View Readme The readme file contains last minute information
and changes that could not be printed in this manual. Please take
the time to view the readme file if you are having any problems
with this product.
Register Please take the time to register Baldur’s Gate with
Black Isle Studios. Your feedback is appreciated and will put you
on the mailing list for special offers and game promotions.
Exit will close the launch window.
View Demos Demos of other Black Isle Studios products have
been included with Baldur’s Gate. Please see the Readme file for
descriptions and instructions on how to run them.
Configure The hotkeys used while playing Baldur’s Gate can be
modified using this utility. Select the hotkey you would like to
change and enter the new hotkey assignment.
Play After you have everything set, click on the Play button to
begin playing. After viewing the logo and introduction movies,
select “Single Player” and “New Game” to go directly into Character
Creation and begin your adventure on the Sword Coast!
To start playing again later, select the Baldur’s Gate application
from the Black Isle Studios program group in your start menu.
Uninstall When you’re ready, the Uninstall option will clean up
everything except your saved games.

6 ™
Technical Support
If you have any problems while installing or using this game, please
follow the steps below.
1. Check the readme file supplied on the Cd
2. Make a note of any error messages
3. Check the Interplay web-site at http://www.interplay.com for
details of known problems, updates and patches.
4. Call the Virgin Interactive customer services team on:
+ 44 (0)207 551 4266
For some problems we may need to refer you to your hardware
supplier. For hint information please use the number in the
following section.

Finding Out More

You can find out more about Interplay games on our web site
http://www.interplay.com

You can also contact us by:

FAX: + 44 (0)207 551 4267

OR WRITE TO US AT:
Customer Services Department
Virgin Interactive Entertainment Europe Ltd.
74a Charlotte Street
London
W1P 1LR

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Character Generation in
Baldur’s Gate

W
hen you are in the
character creation
section follow the steps
below; at any point in the
process you may press
“Cancel” and will be prompted
if you wish to return to the
main game screen. To go back
during character creation press
the up arrow at the bottom left
of the screen.

GENDER
The gender of your character is decided first. You can select
either male or female, and once selected press the “Done” button
(as on every page).
* Females of the Realms can excel in any area they wish, and
are easily the equals of their male counterparts in every skill
or respect.
* Males of the Realms can excel in whatever profession they
choose, whether wizardry, thievery, or the arts of war.

APPEARANCE: Portrait Selection

Select a portrait for your character.
To import a custom portrait, check the instructions in the Read
Me file on the installation CD.

RACE
Select the race of your character. There are six available
character races. Choose between human, dwarf, elf, gnome,
halfing, or half-elf.
Descriptions of each race are given in the area beneath the
selection boxes.

8 ™
CLASS
The classes and class combinations that are available to the
race you have chosen will be highlighted. Choose the class that
you want from the list.
Descriptions of each class are noted in the area beneath the
selection boxes.
Multiclassed characters are available to non-humans only and
share the traits and restrictions of both classes. Human characters
can choose to become dual class later in the game.
Dual class characters start their adventuring life as one class
and then later switch to a different class. When the character
chooses to switch class, the abilities of the former class are
unavailable until the character surpasses the level of their former
class with the level of their new class. At this time, the abilities of
both classes are available at their current level. The character can
never advance further in the former class. Only humans can be dual
classed characters.

ABILITY SCORES
You’ll see a screen with the abilities the computer has randomly
determined for your character (calculated as if you rolled three 6-
sided dice for each ability, adjusted for character race). Any class
minimums will be automatically selected for the character for
abilities that were too low (i.e. if the character needs a 17 charisma
to be a paladin, and the computer rolled a 12, then the character
will receive 17). You can subtract points from an ability to add to
another; however, you cannot take points away from an ability if it
will lower the ability below racial or class minimums. Each ability
will have a caption describing it. Reroll your abilities as many times
as you like until you reach a combination you are happy with.
You may also store 1 set of abilities and roll again by clicking on the
“store” button. You may bring the stored set up again by clicking on
the “recall button”. Only one set may be stored at a time but may
be overwritten.

ALIGNMENTS
The player has a choice of alignments according to his class
and race. Each alignment will have a caption describing it in detail.
Your alignment determines how your character interacts with his
environment. Read over each carefully before choosing. If you
stray severely from your alignment during the course of the game,
there will be consequences – you may even suffer loss of some
of your abilities!

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PROFICIENCIES AND SPECIALISATION
All characters receive weapon proficiencies. There will be a list
of proficiencies available to the character, and each proficiency will
have a caption describing it. A character can often wield a weapon
which they lack a proficiency for, but they will incur a -1 penalty on
all rolls with that weapon. Fighters, paladins, and rangers can
become even more skilled with weapons by specialising.You do
this by increasing the points next to your chosen weapon
proficiency to 2. This will give them an added bonus to their attack
rolls and to the damage they inflict. No starting character may have
more than two points allocated to any proficiency and only fighters
can subsequently assign more than 2 points to a given proficiency.
THIEF ABILITIES
If your character is a thief, or a multiclassed character with thief
abilities, you will allocate ability points to thief abilities. The thief has
30 points to allocate at first level, and 20 points every level
thereafter. Available skills are Thieving, Open Locks, Find Traps,
and Stealth (Move Silently/ Hide in Shadows). Each ability has a
caption describing it.
SPELLS
If your character is a wizard you will see a screen where you
can choose 1st-level wizard spells. These are spells the character
will start the game with. Each spell has a caption describing it.
When you click on a spell icon a description will appear in the text
box below. Click once to select it and again to deselect
RACIAL ENEMY
Rangers will choose a racial enemy. The ranger will receive
bonuses when fighting creatures of this type. Choose between
carrion crawler, ettercap, ghoul, gibberling, gnoll, hobgoblin, kobold,
ogre, skeleton, and spider.
APPEARANCE
You will be shown a model of your character. You can modify the
colours of your hair, skin, major clothing colour, and minor clothing
colour. You will be able to modify your major and minor clothing
colours in your inventory page after the adventure has begun. Click
on the box showing the current colour to bring up a selection box
with other colour choices for each category. You may also
customise the portrait and sounds associated with your character.
Both can be modified later as well.

10 ™
NAME
Last of all, you need to name your character. Click on name and
then click on the text box and start typing your name. When done,
hit “Enter” or click on “Done”.
FINISHING YOUR CHARACTER
Once you have completed all of the above steps, click “Accept”
in the lower right or click on the up arrow at the bottom left to erase
and reenter the most recently entered data field.

Interface Overview – How to Play

Baldur’s Gate

B
aldur’s Gate is a fun game and there are many facets to its
interface. These are designed to make playing the game
easier once you have mastered the basic controls.
This section describes the different parts of the interface,
including all windows and buttons, and discusses how each is
controlled and its purpose. Most of the features are self-evident
when you play, so you can either read this section after you have
explored a bit in the game, or before you start.

Mouse Buttons and Control

L-click: Action
Selects a character or selects a portrait (if a character or
group was selected before, this character or group is
deselected and the new character is selected instead).
If the SHIFT key is held down while L-clicking on various
characters on the field or on the portraits, multiple characters
are selected.
If the CONTROL key is held down while L-clicking on
deselected characters, the characters will be added to the
current character selection. Hold down CONTROL and L-click
again to deselect.
Double click on a portrait centres the view on that character.
Pushes buttons – selects action for the character: guard, talk,
attack (click on weapon),etc., on the bottom icon bar click
again to cancel
Casts spells and uses items once they have been selected.

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 On terrain, walks selected character(s) to targeted location
(note: moves in selected formations see R-click for specific
formation movement).
L-click and drag on terrain – selects multiple characters (creates
draggable selection box).
Picks up items with current selected character(s). If more than
one character is selected, the top-most portrait (the “leader”)
walks over to and picks up the item.
L-click and drag on a portrait moves that portrait in the group
order – drag portrait to chosen position and release mouse
button to swap positions.
On the clock pauses and unpauses the game.
Whilst in left icon information screen (ie inventory), L-click on
portraits to display information relevant to that character.
R-click: Information, Cancel Actions, and Formation
Movement control
On a portrait brings up that characters Inventory Screen. R-click
again to return to game
On an item or spell on inventory page or spell page - item or
spell properties screen brought up..
Cancels current actions – cancels attacks or spell casting, but
creates a new movement point for characters.
On a monster or non-player character (NPC) or after clicking on
a selected character plays selection sound for that character or
monster.
On terrain – selected character walks there in formation mode
(R click and hold, and drag, rotates the formation if more than
one character is selected, allowing the player to choose which
direction characters will face.).
On Group Formations slots allows for the configuration of the
slot type. After R-clicking, the current options for that quick slot
will appear. You can select one for the slot by L-clicking on it.

Mouse movement: Moves Viewpoint

The main game area will scroll up, down, left or right if you
move the mouse to the edge of the screen, either in windowed or
full screen mode. This also occurs if you use the number pad
arrow keys.

12 ™
The Main Interface: where the game is played

Main Game Area Help Wizard Tool Tip Dialogue Window

LEFT MENU RIGHT MENU

BUTTONS: BUTTONS:
Game Screen
Character
Maps Portraits
Journal
Inventory
Character
Record
Mage Spell
Book
Priest Spell
Scroll AI On/Off
Options
Select All
Clock
Bottom Menu Buttons
(9 group buttons shown here– will display 12 character buttons if a single character is selected)

The Main Game Area

L-click selects characters; also, an L-click and Shift or L-click
and Ctrl combination will select or select/deselect multiple
characters; also, a click and drag on the main game area
causes a box to be drawn and any characters inside will be
selected (this may be used with the Shift key add to the
selected characters, or Ctrl, to remove characters).
L-click performs actions (see buttons, above), by the
selected character(s).
R-click cancels an action and also does formation rotation
and movement when a group is selected.
Note that the cursor changes when moved over objects or
characters or NPC’s to indicate the default action. The default
action mode can be changed by L-clicking on the buttons at
the bottom of the screen.When the selected action is
possible, the cursor will change from grey to gold.
The action cursors include the following:

Select: Indicates that you can select the character

Move: Indicates that the action mode is movement

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 Blocked Location: Indicates that no movement is possible

Travel: Indicates that if you move here you will leave the
current area map
Doors: Indicates that you will open/close the highlighted
door
Enter: Indicates walking through an entry or hall-way, if a
door is not highlighted
Stairs: Allows you to go up/down staircases

Pick up Item: Allows you to pick up an item

Attack: Indicates that the individual or group action mode is

attack
Locked: Indicates a chest or door that is locked and which
you can attempt to unlock, either by hitting it or picking the
lock with a thief, depending on who is currently selected
Remove Trap: Indicates you can attempt to remove a trap
with your thief
Pickpocket: Indicates you can attempt to steal from the
selected character or creature
Spell: Indicates that you are going to cast a spell

Note on cursors: If a given cursor is selected it may be changed

by clicking on a different action button or by hitting “ESC” or by L-
clicking an area where the cursor has no effect (e.g. a
non-object or the interface border). Casting spells is cancelled by a
R-click, or finished by a L-click on a creature or area (depending on
the type of spell).
The fog of war: Characters see a certain distance away from
them, using a direct line of sight. This means that they cannot see
around a building until they move to the corner, and that they
cannot see through walls.

Bottom Menu Buttons

Different sets of bottom buttons are displayed depending if you
select a single character, or a group of characters.

14 ™
There are 12 Character Bottom Buttons:
These change depending on which single character is selected.

2 Action Buttons (F1-F2 hotkeys)

The two left-most buttons
Guard/Protect: Protects either an area or another character.
If this mode is selected, the desired ground area is L-clicked,
and then the cursor is dragged, a circle will appear; this
represents the area that will be guarded. The character will move
freely within this area but will not leave it. He will respond to
attacks but will not leave the guard/protect area until moved
somewhere else or if told to guard/protect another area. If a
character is selected to be protected, the character will be followed
and any creatures attacking the character will be attacked. If the
Guard/Protect mode is chosen and a point on the ground is L-
clicked, the character will remain stationary at that point, though he
will respond to attacks.
Dialogue: This selects the dialogue cursor which will initiate
dialogue if L-clicked on any creature.

5 Character Buttons (F3-F7)

Table of middle five buttons per class

Class Slot 1 (F3) Slot 2 (F4) Slot 3 (F5) Slot 4 (F6) 0Slot 5 (F7)

Fighter Quick Weapon 1 Quick Weapon 2 Quick Weapon 3 Quick Weapon 4

Paladin Quick Weapon 1 Quick weapon 2 Quick Weapon 3 Turn Undead Cast Spell

Ranger Quick Weapon 1 Quick weapon 2 Quick weapon 3 Stealth Cast Spell

Wizard Quick Weapon 1 Quick Spell Quick Spell Quick Spell Cast Spell

Cleric Quick Weapon 1 Turn Undead Quick Spell Quick Spell Cast Spell

Druid Quick Weapon 1 Quick Weapon 2 Quick Spell Quick Spell Cast Spell

Bard Quick Weapon 1 Bard Song Thieving Quick Spell Cast Spell

Thief Quick Weapon 1 Quick Weapon 2 Find Traps Thieving Stealth

Fighter/Thief Quick Weapon 1 Quick Weapon 2 Find Traps Thieving Stealth

Fighter/Cleric Quick Weapon 1 Quick Weapon 2 Turn Undead Quick Spell Cast Spell

Fighter/Wizard Quick Weapon 1 Quick Weapon 2 Quick Spell Quick Spell Cast Spell

Wizard/Thief Quick Weapon 1 Find Traps Thieving Stealth Cast Spell

Cleric/Wizard Quick Weapon 1 Turn Undead Quick Spell Quick Spell Cast Spell

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Class Slot 1 (F3) Slot 2 (F4) Slot 3 (F5) Slot 4 (F6) Slot 5 (F7)

Cleric/Thief Quick Weapon 1 Find Traps Thieving Stealth Cast Spell

Fighter/Druid Quick Weapon 1 Quick Weapon 2 Quick Spell Quick Spell Cast Spell

Cleric/Ranger Quick Weapon 1 Turn Undead Stealth Quick Spell Cast Spell
Fighter/Wizard/ Quick Weapon 1 Quick Weapon 2 Turn Undead Quick Spell Cast Spell
Cleric
Fighter/Wizard/ Quick Weapon 1 Find Traps Thieving Stealth Cast Spell
Thief

Quick Weapon: These slots correspond to the quick weapon

slots on the inventory page. Load a weapon into these slots
(R-click to choose that weapon) and it will appear in the
relevant slots here.
Find Traps: This is a mode that thieves can choose. If an
action other than movement is selected for that character, this
mode ends.
Thieving: This includes pick pockets, pick locks and remove
traps, depending on the target chosen.
Stealth: This is a blend of move silently and hide in shadows.
Thieves can choose this mode, and if successful they
become nigh-invisible. The next attack of the thief, if
successful, is a backstab, and this will cause either double,
triple, or quadruple damage depending on the level of the
thief. Moving into the light or launching an attack can cause
the hide to fail.
Turn Undead: This is a mode that clerics can choose (the
cleric persists in turning undead until an action other than
movement is selected). Clerics in this mode will attempt to
turn undead creatures (if successful the undead run away for
a time, or may be destroyed if the cleric is powerful enough).
Evil clerics using this ability may actually be able to gain
control over some undead creatures.
Cast Spells: This is possible by clerics and wizards. It pulls
up the memorised spell list of the cleric or wizard and the
cleric or wizard can cast a spell from this list.
Quick Spells: These are configured by R-clicking on the Quick
Spell slot – this brings up a list of all currently memorised
spells. Once configured, the spell is ready for use at the push
of the appropriate button or by L-clicking on that slot.

16 ™
 Bard song: This is possible by Bards – the bard character
will begin playing a song, which continues until any action
other than movement is selected for that bard. While the
song is playing, the party morale and luck is higher. (Luck
decreases attack rolls and damage caused by enemies).

4 Item buttons (F8-11)

Use Item: If L-clicked, allows you to use any item with
usable properties that you are wearing.

Quick Item (x3): You may ready any item in the personal
inventory for quick use by R-clicking on any of these three
slots and selecting from all items held personally to
configure that slot (much as per Use Item). This is analogous to the
usage of quick spells. If an item is used up or dropped or traded it
must be removed from the quick item slot(s). If using an item
causes a spell to be cast which must be used on a character or
monster or terrain, the cursor will change accordingly and you must
L-click on the target to use the item. R-clicking will cancel use.
Weapons with magical powers can have their magic powers
configured in the quick items slots, but not the quick weapons slots
(only weapons with physical attacks go into the quick weapon slots).
Special Abilities button (F12)
For any characters with special abilities (e.g. special abilities
for certain character classes or any special abilities that are
gained by your characters during the course of the game), if you
click on this button it brings up a page of special abilities for that
character.
Lay Hands: This is possible by Paladins. They summon
magical healing energies upon a target of their choice, and
heal 2 hp per level once per day.
Shapechange: This is possible by high-level druids
(level 7).

Your characters may develop additional special abilities over the

course of the game.

There are 9 Group Bottom Buttons:

These become available when you have more than one
character selected:
Guard/Protect, Dialogue, and Attack are analogous to the
buttons for a single selected character.

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 Stop: Halts all current party actions.

Handy for when you are blundering your way into a trap! –Volo

Quick Formation buttons:

Formations form in the same order
as top down on the character
portraits bar (top character is #1 in formation, and down the list). If
less than six characters are selected, they will form up to the
number of characters selected, filling in the first, second, third, etc.
formation slots until done. Formation movement is accomplished
by R-clicking and holding (for rotation of the formation), or L-clicking,
both only when a group is selected.
Quick formations work analogously to quick spells, quick
weapons or quick items. They allow for real-time tactical combat:
pull your mage into the middle of your party, or advance your
fighters to the front quickly by using the formations. The quick
formation slots are configured via a R-click which brings up all
available formations; L-click selects one as the formation for that
quick formation slot. L-click subsequently on that button selects the
current party formation. Movement into formations is then achieved
by L-clicking the terrain in the game, or by R-clicking and holding, to
rotate the formation.

Right Menu Buttons

Select all: Selects or deselects all party members

AI on/off: This turns the AI on/off for a given character or

number of characters. This will mean that characters with AI
turned off will not react to anything in the environment unless
manually controlled. They will not move or otherwise do anything
unless dictated by their unmodifiable section of script (the portion
that players are unable to change, representing the personality of
that character).
Rest: From many of the interface screens, a Rest button
will be available in place of the Select All and AI On/Off
buttons. When you select Rest and confirm, time will pass
in the game, and your characters will heal and regain their spells.

Don’t forget to decide which spells you want to memorise before

resting. –Volo

18 ™
 Character portraits: The character portraits select that
character if L-clicked upon; if R-clicked upon they bring up the
inventory page for that character. Note that if you R-click on
a portrait when the game is paused, it will unpause the
game! This is intentional, and is designed to show the effects of
attempting to change equipment in the middle of a battle – your
characters will likely be hit unless you change equipment when not
in combat!
Note on Character Portraits: The colours of the character portraits
indicate if the characters are taking damage from attacks or poisons
(flashing red), or are dead (solid grey). Damage to the character is
represented on the character portrait as a red bar (i.e. the portion of
the portrait that is the normal colour is the portion of hit points still
remaining to the character). If you move your cursor over the portrait
of a character, the hit point total and the name of that character will
appear as a tool tip. Character portraits will also display status icons
(if your character is Charmed, Held, etc.) as well as the level-up icon
if one of your characters can advance a level.

Left Menu Buttons

The buttons down the left side of the interface give you direct
access to the various interface screens in the game. The buttons
are as follows:
Return to game Character record page

Map Mage spell book

Journal Priest spell scroll

Inventory Options

Each of these buttons will take you directly to the interface

screen for the character selected. If the entire party is selected, the
appropriate screen for the party leader will be displayed.

Help Wizard Tool Tips

These are the information windows that pop up whenever you
leave your mouse cursor on any button for a period of time
(determined in the options). Help Wizard Tool Tips will also pop up
if you leave your cursor on certain items in the game (characters,
buildings, signs, etc). To bring up the Tool Tips instantly, press the
“Tab” button.

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19
The Dialogue Window
Dialogue occurs with the selected character only; changing the
character who is having the dialogue is not possible until dialogue
is exited and restarted with a new character selected. If multiple
characters are selected, the top-most selected character initiates the
dialogue. Note: Reaction adjustments will be based on the charisma
of whichever character you use to initiate dialogue, but immediately
switching to another character will not better your chances of a
good reaction. NPC’s will maintain their current opinion of you for a
few minutes, so make the first impression count. Stores are the
exception, wherein the present leader always represents the group.
The more charismatic your leader, the better! –Volo
There are three available sizes to the dialogue window: a two-
line size (small) which is the default in normal play, and which is
used to display system messages and game conditions; and a 15
(medium) and 25 (large) line size which are used when dialogue is
being displayed. The two line and 15 line sizes may be expanded
to the 25 line size during game play by L-clicking the small “up”
button at the right side of the dialogue window.L-click the small
down button beneath to decrease the size of the dialogue window
again. There is a scroll bar at the right of the dialogue window that
may be used to scroll up or down in the dialogue queue. You can
also use the Page-up and Page-downbuttons to change the window
size.
Dialogue uses a menu based system where you L-click on what
you want to say from a list. What is available to be said varies
according to the reaction adjustment and Charisma of the character
who is speaking. When more text scrolls up in the window than
can be read at once, or when dialogue is paused to give you a
chance to read the text, you can L-click anywhere in the dialogue
window to view more text. The text that has been already read can
be reviewed with the scroll arrows on the right (up or down).
During dialogue the character who is talking has his portrait
highlighted and will flash in the main game area. The NPC being
spoken to will also flash.

Stores, Inns, Taverns, and Temples

Throughout the course of the game there are many non-player
characters in the world who will offer goods or services. These
NPC’s all use a similar interface for the buying, selling, and trading
of goods, information, and services. When these NPC’s are spoken
to, a panel will replace the bottom portion of the screen with
buttons for the various services offered.

20 ™
 Rent Rooms: Inns usually have four different types of rooms
that the player can use to rest at night. The various
accommodations range from Peasant rooms to Deluxe
lodgings. The more expensive the room, the more comfortable
your stay, and the more you will heal while you rest.
Buying and Selling: This screen is broken into a Buy
window and a Sell window. Items that the store offers are
shown in the Buy windows, on the left. Items from the
characters inventory are shown in the Sell window, on the right.
To select items to purchase, L-click on them in the Buy window.
The item icon will become highlighted, but will not be purchased
until you L-click “Buy” at the bottom of the window. You may select
multiple items and the current total for all items is shown next to the
“Buy” button. The Sell window works in the same fashion, although
the store owner may have no interest in buying the items in your
inventory (in which case the item will be “dimmed”).
Items that are unusable by the character currently selected are
shaded red. While these items are unusable, they can still be
purchased for future use or for other party members.
Drinks and Rumours: Some locations will have a friendly
bartender or innkeeper tending bar. The items offered at the
bar vary from expensive liquors to cheap ales. Either way,
upon ordering a drink, the proprietor may decide to share rumours
that he has heard lately. Be careful however, as your characters can
become intoxicated if they drink too much.
Five drinks will usually do it... though it helps put me in a
philosophic frame of mind. –Volo
No comment... –Elminster
Steal: Thieves may have the option of attempting to steal
items out of a shop’s inventory. The Steal screen works the
same as Buying and Selling, except that no gold is
exchanged. When an item is selected to be stolen, the thief’s skills
are checked – if successful, the item is added to the thief’s
inventory; if unsuccessful, the guard will be called (or worse!).
Donate: You can donate money at a temple by selecting this
option. When you donate, you may hear a rumour from the
priest, and the party’s reputation may be increased
depending on the amount of gold donated. It is very helpful to
donate gold if the party’s reputation is suffering, though unless your
donation is at least 100 gold it is unlikely to cause an increase.
The more your reputation has fallen, the more you must donate.
Priests have very long memories... –Volo

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21
 Purchase Healing: Temples usually offer healing services for
a price. A menu will appear showing the services offered
and the price. Select the service you wish to receive and
select the character who is to receive the healing.
Identify: Shops and Temples can usually identify a much
larger variety of items than your characters will be able to.
The cost to have an item identified is 100 gold. If you cannot
select the item from the list, then the proprietor does not have the
ability to identify the item.
Containers
Certain items and containers will be able to be picked up or
opened in the game. If the characters inventory is full, the item will
not be transferred and the backpack will be greyed out. L-click to
access the item or container. When you access the item or
container, the Container panel will come up at the bottom of the
screen. The left side of the panel shows the items that are on the
ground or in the container and the right side is a small portion of the
selected characters inventory. Clicking on items on the left side of
the panel moves the items from the ground or container into the
characters inventory.
If the characters inventory is full, the item will not be transferred.
Note that this process can be reversed, and items can also be
moved from a characters inventory into a container or onto the
ground by L-clicking on them in the right side of this panel.
Maps
Area Map
L-clicking the map button will bring up the area map that the
selected character(s) are currently on. Areas that have been visited
are lit up, areas that haven’t are dark. This map may be an interior
or dungeon or an outdoor terrain.
The character(s) current position(s) are indicated on the map by
green circles.
World Map
When the World button on the Area Map is clicked the World Map
is displayed and the area that the character(s) are on will be marked
by a shield standard. The areas visited thus far on the world map
will be shown. Note that you cannot travel between areas unless
you have travelled to the edge of the current area and brought up
the world map with the “Travel” icon. To move to another area,
highlight the area and click on it. Sometimes your world map will
also be updated through dialogue or events within the game

22 ™
 To World Map Back to Area Map

Journal
Quests are entered in the journal as well as major occurrences
in the game world.

Inventory
The inventory page can either be accessed by L-clicking the
Inventory button on the left of the screen or by R-clicking a
Character Portrait.

Character Name
Character Class
Armour Class Group Gold
Hit Points
(current/maximum) Ammunition

Paper Doll
Character
Appearance
Quick Weapon
Slots Ground Slots

Quick Item Slots

Personal
Weight Carried Inventory
Max Weight
Rest

Most of the screen is taken up by the “Paper Doll”

representation of the character. Along the bottom of the screen is
the characters personal inventory and the encumbrance of the
character. Items can be dragged and dropped to be equipped on
the Paper Doll, or dragged and dropped to other characters’ portraits
to give the item to the other character.

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23
 Stackable items can be unstacked by double L-clicking on the
item. Unstacked items can be stacked by dragging and dropping
them on top of each other.
Items placed in the “Ground” slots will be dropped at the
characters feet and can be picked up from the main game area.
The group pool of gold is shown on this page as well.

Encumbrance
Each character has a maximum weight they can carry. The
weight currently carried by the character is shown next to the
Personal Inventory. Maximum weight carried is determined by the
Strength of a character. If this weight is exceeded, the character will
slow or completely stop depending on how overloaded the
character is.

The Paper Doll Inventory: Equipped Items

There are 17 distinct areas in the equipped items section: helm,
armour, bracers/gauntlets, cloak, amulet, L ring, R ring, boots,
belt/girdle, up to 4 weapons (R hand, from which the quick attacks
are chosen), the quiver (of up to 3 sets of ammunition), and the
shield slot (L hand).

Quick Weapon Slots

The weapons put into the quick weapon slots determine the
quick attacks that are available (these slots are like a bandoleer of
weapons available – for a mage, this could hold a dagger, for a
fighter it could be a crushing weapon to use against undead, a bow
for distant encounters and a sharp edged weapon for close
combat). When a new weapon is put into the weapon slots on the
inventory page, it generates a default quick attack in the quick
attack button for this character at the bottom of the main interface
screen.
Only one bow or crossbow may be equipped at a time. Both
bolts and arrows may be in the quiver but only those usable by the
current equipped weapon appear as quick attack choices on the
main interface screen.
A shield may be equipped only if no 2-handed weapons are
present in the weapon slots. If a 2-handed weapon is in one of these
slots, the shield is not equipable and a message to this effect
appears in the inventory message line: “Cannot equip (2-handed
weapon in use).” A similar message is displayed if a shield is
equipped and the player tries to move a 2-handed weapon into one
of the 4 weapon slots: “Cannot equip (shield in use).”

24 ™
Quick Item Slots
These are slots available to each player that represent
miscellaneous items that are kept at the ready (potions, for
example). These items can be accessed easily during combat
(similar to “Quick Weapons” above).

Personal Inventory
Considered your “backpack”, you can only carry 16 different
items or stacks of items, regardless of your encumbrance.

Items Property Page

If an item is R-clicked upon, the view changes to the Items
Property page. This page contains the items icon, description and
picture. Characters with high “Lore” abilities will automatically be
able to Identify certain magical items. If the item is currently
unidentified, there will be a button to allow you to try to magically
Identify it. Potions may be drunk from this page. If the item is a
scroll, wizards will have the opportunity to try to ‘Write Magic’ and
add the scroll spell to their spell book. Certain magical items may
even have special “Abilities” that can be accessed from this page –
including the ability to configure the items magical powers

Character Appearance
Clicking on the coloured boxes will allow you to choose from a
palette of colours for your characters clothing.
Rest
L-click on this button to rest your characters. Some areas are
better suited for resting than others, so select your campsite
carefully.

Character Record and Associated Screens

Character record
The character record page
shows all of the vital statistics
and abilities of the currently
selected character.

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25
Dual Class
This page is available to human characters only – after 2nd level
you can convert a character to dual class.
When the player chooses dual class, a dual class interface
screen will come up from which he will choose the new class for
the selected character. The only classes that cannot duel class are
the Paladin and the Bard, though others may have restrictions on
which classes they can switch to. The character must also have 15
in the prime requisites of his first class, and 17 in those of the
second class. The dual class page is very similar to the character
generation page – and in fact, making a character dual classed can
be seen as essentially starting a character over. As a new dual
classed character, he starts with only the 1st-level abilities and
restrictions of his new class, though he retains his hit point total
from his prior class.
After a character becomes dual classed, he can only use the
abilities of his new class until he surpasses the level of his original
class, at which point he can freely use the abilities of either class.
No further advancement is ever allowed in the first class, all further
development is in the new class.
Level Up
This button is dimmed until the player gains enough experience
points to gain a level.
When the player clicks the “Level-Up” button, a level up screen
will be shown. All changes to the character sheet are highlighted.
For a thief or bard, the player must distribute new thieving points. A
new proficiency slot requires a player to choose a weapon
proficiency.
Information
This page allows you to compare how the various characters in
your party are playing. Various stats such as number of kills and
favourite weapon are displayed. Also on this screen is the
‘biography’ button which will display character history.
Reform Party
This page allows you to remove characters from your party.
Customise
This page allows you to change a characters appearance,
change his voice, change his clothing colours, or change his scripts
(the computer code that controls behaviours/reactions to situations).
For more information on customised character portraits, character
voices or scripts, refer to the information in the Readme file.

26 ™
Export
This allows you to save a ‘snapshot’ of the characters file to
your computer for use in a multi-player game. The characters
current status will be saved, including hit points, experience points,
level, class, inventory, etc.

Mage and Priest Spell

Screens:
The known spells of the
wizard or priest are shown on the
right. If you R-click on a spell icon,
a display page will come up with
a spell description. To memorise a
spell, L-click on it. The spell
appears on the left in the
“memorised” area, but remains
shaded (and unusable) until the character has a chance to rest. (See
the Rest button on page 18).
The memorised spells of the wizard or priest are shown on the left.
Every time the spell caster sleeps he will memorise the spells in this area.
If the memorised spell area is full and you want to memorise a
different spell, L-click on the spell on the left, and it will vanish. You
may then select another spell from the right to fill this slot.

Options
Save, Load, and Quit: These allow you to save games to your hard
disk, discard your current game and load a previously saved game,
and quit to the main menu.
Graphics:
Brightness/Contrast allows you to adjust the brightness and
contrast of the display.
Colour Depth allows you to toggle your display between 16 bit,
24 bit, or 32 bit colour based on the capabilities of your system.
Transparent Shadows allows you to enable transparent
shadows beneath the characters. Disable this option to increase
game performance.
The other graphic options on this page should be used only if
Baldur’s Gate is not displaying correctly on your system. Please
refer to the Readme file for the latest information on how to correct
any display errors.

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27
Sound:
This menu allows you to adjust the volumes of various sounds
in the game independently.
Character Sounds allows you to toggle on/off some specific
sound effects and set the frequency with which your characters
verbally respond to your orders.
Gameplay:
Tool Tip Delay adjusts how quickly the Windows Tool-Tip pop-
up help appears. The left of the slider is the briefest period of time.
Note: You can always make the tool tip appear instantly by hitting
the “Tab” key.
Mouse Scroll Speed adjusts how quickly the screen scrolls across
the game world when the mouse is at the edge of the screen.
Keyboard Scroll Speed adjusts how quickly the screen scrolls
across the game world when the arrow keys are used.
Difficulty adjusts hidden factors within the game to make the
game more or less difficult. Note: There is an experience point
penalty for reducing the difficulty of the game below neutral. There
is not a bonus for playing more difficult games.
Dither Always: Allows your characters to dither through
obstacles that would normally obscure them, so they are partially
visible
Tutorial Messages: Toggle on/off here.
Gore: This toggles on/off the blood and ‘excessive’ damage
and death animations in the game.
Group Infravision: Enables infravision whilst a group is selected
if any character in the selected group has the infravision ability.
Weather: Disable this to remove all weather effects. This might
improve performance on slower machines.
Feedback allows you to modify the frequency with which you
see markers and locators in the game, as well as turning on and off
the various messages that come up during the game.
Autopause allows you to set various conditions under which the
game will automatically pause.

Miscellaneous Information
Fatigue: A character can continue to operate at peak efficiency
for 24 hours game time (2 hours real time). After that the characters
will start to complain, and the characters’ attributes begin to go
down. For every 4 hours beyond this 24-hour mark the player will
receive a -1 luck penalty (-1 to all of his rolls). As soon as the
character rests all penalties will disappear.

28 ™
 Intoxication: A character becomes intoxicated after he drinks
enough alcoholic beverages. The average character will be able to
drink about 5 alcoholic beverages before becoming intoxicated –
but this amount may vary depending upon the characters
Constitution. Intoxicated characters gain a bonus to Morale, but a
penalty to Luck. The greater the level of intoxication, the greater the
bonus/penalty. The effects of intoxication diminish over time.
Infravision: Some characters and monsters have the power of
infravision. Infravision allows you to see better in the dark by
revealing the heat of objects. A character without innate infravision
ability can obtain infravision through spells or magical items.
Effects of Wearing Armour on spells and abilities for dual or
multiclassed characters
• Different buttons may be dimmed in the bottom panel
depending on what your characters are wearing, rendering
some skills inaccessible.
• Even if a multiclass or dual class wizard is wearing armour,
he can still memorise spells, he just cannot cast wizard
spells until the armour is removed.

Multiplayer Games of Baldur’s Gate

Multiplayer
The multiplayer game of Baldur's Gate is identical to the single
player game – at least in terms of the game content. The main
differences between the single and multiplayer games relate to who
is playing in the game – in the single player game, you create one
character and up to five other NPC's join you. After they join, they
are essentially characters fully under your control. In a multiplayer
game, between one and six players may adventure together,
cooperatively controlling both created characters and NPC's that join
the party.
A few definitions are in order. The leader is the player who has
control over such things as who can join, what kinds of characters
can be brought into the game, and what abilities the players who
are in the game actually have (in terms of game
play – see Permissions, below). The leader can control one or more
characters in the game, and has the ability to assign characters to
the other players. The server is the computer (usually, but not
necessarily, the leader's) which coordinates the various game-states
of the client machines of each player. A player is one of the people
who controls one or more characters in the game. A character is an
alter-ego, analogous to the characters of the single player game,
which is controlled by one player in a multiplayer session.

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29
Starting Out
When you start a multiplayer
game, (also known as a
session) you will be presented
with the Connection screen.
Here you can choose the
protocol that you will play your
game with.

Protocol
There are four available protocols that you can choose from on
the protocol screen.
IPX
You will be presented with the all available IPX sessions. After
choosing one, you will proceed to the game.
TCP/IP
A connection screen will
come up in which you can
enter the host address you wish
to connect to. Once you do this,
you will be connected to this
session if it is available. On local
area networks, TCP/IP has an
auto-detect feature to
automatically set up games.
Modem
If you choose a modem connection you will be presented with
a popup menu where you can configure the COM port and speed of
your modem. Once you have done this, you can enter the number
that you want to dial; once you have dialled the number you will be
connected with that game.
Serial (null modem)
If you choose serial connection, a
popup menu will appear on which you
can select the COM port of the null modem
cable that you will be using as well as the
port connection speed.

30 ™
Joining a Game
Whichever protocol is chosen, if you are not creating the
game but rather joining one, you will be prompted to choose
a player name by which you can be identified by the leader
and other players in the session. After this you will proceed to
the Character Arbitration screen (see below).
Creating a Game
If you choose to create a game which other players can
join, you will see a popup window appear, on which are
spaces to fill in the session name, the player name, and
buttons to create a new game or load a game. If you choose
to create a new game, you must fill out the spaces for the
session name and the player name.
After you have created your game or loaded in a game
from the list of available saved games, you will proceed to the
Character Arbitration screen.
When characters join your session (at any point in the steps
outlined below, or for that matter in the actual game) the leader is
notified. The leader has the ability to stop listening to requests to
join (this is set in the Player Permissions window, described below).

Character Arbitration
The character arbitration screen is where players are assigned
control of character slots and create the characters that they will
roleplay in the game. From this screen, the leader also controls
Permissions and other options for the game.
The player running the server is initially assigned as the leader
of the party. As the leader, he or she has the ability to assign
character slots to the players who are in the session. This is
achieved by L-clicking on the player name slots, after which a panel
will pop up with the names of all players currently in the session.
Control of a slot may be assigned to any player.
On the
character
arbitration Player Name
screen, Character
characters may Name
be loaded into a
slot by the Character
player who Information
controls that slot.
Character
This is done by
“Lock”
clicking on the
Create Character
button.
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31
The Protagonist in the Multiplayer Games
As in the single player game, there is one character who is the
protagonist of the story. If this character dies, the game is over and
the game must be reloaded, as in the single player game. The
protagonist in the multiplayer session is identified by the stone
highlight around the first character slot.

Characters in
Multiplayer Sessions
The characters in
multiplayer may be created
from scratch or may be
imported into the game using
the “Import” button. The
character is created on the
exact same screens as in the
single player game (see page
8), subject to the restrictions
set out by the leader of the
session in the Player Permissions submenu off this page (see
below).
Once a character is created, it can be modified by clicking on
the player name, which brings up a window allowing the player to
create or delete (the active character must be deleted before a new
one can be created in the same slot).
When the player is satisfied with the character that he has
imported or created, he clicks on the small skull icon to the left of
the character slot to “lock” the character and prevent changes. If a
player wishes to change a character, that character must be
"unlocked" by clicking on the skull icon before the character is
editable.

Player Permissions
Although both the leader and the other players in the session
can view permissions on the Permissions screen, only players who
have been assigned leadership privileges are able to modify
permissions.
The leader can assign these permissions to any players that he
chooses.

32 ™
 The permissions represent what players are able to do in the
game. The permissions provided are:
the ability to the ability to initiate
modify characters dialogue

the ability to spend the ability to view

party gold/purchase items other characters
records

the ability to initiate an the ability to pause

area transition the game

the ability to modify permissions/remove players from the

game (leadership permission)

Import Options
On the Permissions page the leader is able to set the options
for importing by clicking on the “Import Options” button. This
brings up a window with three settings: Stats only, Stats and XP
(i.e. experience points and levels), or Stats, XP, and Items. By
choosing one of these settings the leader limits the types of
characters that can be brought into the multiplayer session from
the single player game or other multiplayer sessions.

Listen to Join Requests

Also on the Player Permissions page is a button, “Listen to
Join Requests”, which allows the leader to listen to requests to
join the session or to turn off requests if there are enough
players in the game. For example, the leader might only want
to have one or two people in the game, so having people
requesting to join could get annoying.
One interesting facet of multiplayer is that the player
creating the session can choose to play solo. The advantage
of this is that all characters in the party can then be created
from scratch. [Note: While we specifically included this option
due to popular request, we actually recommend playing the
game with NPC's turned characters in the party – they'll have
more personality.]

Starting the Multiplayer Game

When all players have L-clicked on the skull icons to
the left of their characters' slots, the “Done” button will
become active on the leader's computer. The game
launches when the leader clicks “Done.”

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33
Changing Options and Permissions in the Game
Both the Character Arbitration screen and the Player
Permissions screen are available on the left side menu in the
multiplayer game. These screens are treated identically in the
actual game to what is described above.

Playing a Multiplayer Game

Chatting
Players can chat between themselves. There is a chat window –
to enter a comment merely L-click on the entry area and enter a
comment, press enter to send. To address the comment to a
specific person (and only that person) type that player's name
followed by a colon (":") then the comment – only that player will
see your comment.

Saving and Loading

The leader can Save games at any time during normal play, just
as if playing the single player game. In order to Load a game, the
leader must exit and reload the game.

General Notes Concerning Multiplayer

When you are playing a multiplayer session, keep in mind the
following notes:
1. Asynchronous: Baldur's Gate is an asynchronous game. If you
happen to be playing with somebody whose system is very close
by, you may see different things happen on each system. The
point to remember is that while things happen somewhat differently,
the result of the actions is always the same.
2. Explorable Area: When playing a multiplayer game of Baldur's
Gate, you are limited to exploring one area in the game at a time.
That is, the characters in the game can only spread out within the
same above ground area. While they can enter structures and
underground areas individually, they cannot travel to other above
ground areas until all characters are at the edge of the area and
ready to move on.
3. Loading Time: The loading time for any given level is slightly
longer while playing multiplayer. This is because the interiors for
each level must be loaded along with the exteriors for each area.
The single player game does not need to do this, so loading is
faster. Also, the multiplayer game is forced to wait for the system
that loads the area the slowest.

34 ™
4. Party Gold: Just as in the single player game, all gold is shared
between the members of the party.
5. Shared Experience: Just as in the single player game, all
characters in the party share in the awarding of experience points.
6. The Leader is in Charge: In case you haven't figured it out by
now, the leader has control over everything that the player can do in
the game, including kicking them out and reassigning their
characters to other players. Make sure that the leader is playing the
type of multiplayer game that you want to play. That is to say, if you
want a hacked game, join that kind of game or start it up; if you
want a clean game according to AD&D rules without interference
from hacked or edited characters or players who don't want to play
as a team, then you need to find those players.

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35
 Volo’s Guide to
Baldur’s Gate
Manual II

36 ™
Volo’s Personal Introduction
This guidebook is one of the very finest in my ongoing tour of the
Realms – I can guarantee that you’ll find no more diligent guide
than your humble servant, Volothamp Geddarm. I’ve spent the past
six months journeying around the fine port city of Baldur’s Gate
and subjecting myself to horrors beyond belief in my quest to
bring this information to light. Poor food, small beds, drafty
accommodations – no peril is too vast for your friend and
compatriot, Volothamp Geddarm.
In thy service!

Volothamp Geddarm

Volo? Aye (sigh). I’ve spoken to ye before about

his “accuracy”, but he is getting a little better.
Maybe that makes his writing more tolerable.
Perhaps.
Elminster

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37
Part I: BACKGROUND
Overview of the Realms:
the World of Baldur’s Gate

W
elcome to the Forgotten Realms and the world of Faerûn!
(Fay-ROON). A land of magic and adventure, Faerûn is a
continent hugging a larger world, which in turn is the third
world of eight orbiting a central sun, which is encapsulated in a
crystal sphere within a swirling chaos, which is only one in a
myriad of alternate dimensions. But for the races of Toril – for the
elves and dwarves and gnomes and halflings and humans – Faerûn
is a very important place: it is home.
Abeir-toril (Ah-BEER Tor-RILL), more commonly called Toril, is
the name of the orb that Faerûn and the Forgotten Realms are set
upon, just as Earth is the orb that Eurasia is set upon. The name is
archaic, meaning “cradle of life,” and is rarely used in everyday
speech. Abeir-Toril is an Earth-sized planet dominated by a large
continent in its northern hemisphere as well as a number of other
large landmasses scattered about its surface. This northern
continent is called Faerûn in the west, Kara-Tur in the east, and
Zakhara in the south. It is the primary purpose of this tome to deal
with the western portion of this huge landmass, in particular the
region in Faerûn between the Sea of Swords and the Inner Sea, and
more particularly the area around the city known as Baldur’s Gate.

The Sword Coast

For years, the lands between Waterdeep, a huge city far north of
Baldur’s Gate; bustling Amn to the south; the Sea of Swords to the
West; and the Wood of Sharp Teeth to the East have been thought
of as the Empty Lands – a vast, stretch of wilderness folk venture
into only to get from one place to another. Legends abound of
grisly fates that befell unfortunate travelers at the hands of the orcs,
trolls, hobgoblins (and worse!) said to infest the area in veritable
armies. In recent times the caravans have begun to see a new
menace – raiding parties of humanoids who plunder mainly the
miners in the Cloud Peak mountains north of Amn. Thanks to both
human and bestial predators, the trip has always been dangerous –
hence the name Sword Coast. Down through the ages, many folk
have dreamed of founding a kingdom in this verdant valley hidden
in the moors. The area is littered with the ruins of failed dreams –
abandoned villages, empty towers and dungeons – as well as the
occasional town, city, or keep, such as Baldur’s Gate, Beregost,
Nashkel, the Friendly Arm Inn, and Candlekeep. This guidebook
directs the traveller toward the sights and lodgings in the cities.

38 ™
Those not travelling with a caravan in the Sword Coast are warned
to hire escorts of armed, trustworthy adventurers!
Zane* was not far wrong, but the Coast today is also home to
one of the two largest and most powerful cities in the region,
Baldur’s Gate (the other, far inland, is Iraebor). From its gates south
to Amn, the Coast on either side of the Coast Way road is pleasant,
verdant farmland. North of the river Chionthar as far as the Way Inn,
the land is more sparsely inhabited and more dangerous, but it
serves as a hunting range for those who must kill wild game to eat
and as homestead for lonely pioneer farmers. Travelers are warned
that lawlessness is swiftly dealt with by ready, veteran patrols in the
lands held by the nobles around Baldur’s Gate. Throughout the rest
of the Coast, the traveler’s best protection is a ready blade and
friendly magic close at hand. Brigands, dopplegangers, and kobolds
are an ever- present danger. Many brigands stay in roving
encampments, living off stolen livestock. From such bases they raid
travelers, warehouses, and weak settlements at will, particularly at
night or in bad weather. On the other hand, game is plentiful for
travelers throughout this region.

*Zane Hellar of Amn, the famous senior

cartographer of the Merchants’ League, on describing
the coast between Waterdeep and Amn: “Leagues upon
leagues of lawless waste, home to pirates and outlaws
who prey on those who must go north or south while
depending on the Sea of Swords as their guide,
keeping it in sight so as not to lose their way.”
– Volo

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 Map of the Sword Coast

40 ™
Candlekeep
I understand your home is Candlekeep, so you probably remember more
about it than I do, my friend. All apologies for any errors! -Volo!
This citadel of learning stands on a volcanic crag, overlooking the
sea. It is a many-towered fortress, once the home of the famous seer
Alaundo, and it preserves his predictions along with all the written
records and learning of the Realms that can be assembled. Candlekeep
is certainly no tourist resort, but there is a store, a temple, and a fair inn
here. The price for most travelers to enter the Keep proper is a book.
Those wishing to examine any writing in the Keep’s library must gift
Candlekeep with a new tome of no less than 10,000 gp value.
This applies to you as well, even though you called the keep home
for many years. The monks make few exceptions, and only their
true membership is exempt from the entrance fee. It was apparently
Gorion’s influence alone that allowed you free access. Such strict
enforcement of a rule is simply not to my tastes. –Volo

Candlekeep
Candlekeep

The monks of Candlekeep (who claim to be non-denominational,

and call themselves the Avowed) also purchase certain books
brought to them and even commission agents in great secrecy to
procure writings they desire. Those who wish to browse in the
library must normally be sponsored by a known mage of power, so
many books given to Candlekeep in payment are minor spellbooks.

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 This community is ruled by the Keeper of the Tomes, assisted
by the First Reader (the second in authority and traditionally the
most learned sage of the monastery). There are up to eight Great
Readers under these two offices, who are assisted by the Chanter,
the Guide, and the Gatewarden. The Chanter leads the endless
chant of Alaundo’s prophecies, spelled in this duty by three
assistants, the Voices of the North, South and East. The Guide is in
charge of teaching acolytes, and the Gatewarden deals with
visitors, the security of and supplies for the community, and with
the clergy. The central, highest fortress of the Keep is surrounded
by a terraced rock garden of many trees. There are rumours of
vast dungeons beneath the keep, dating from ancient times, when
they were used as burial chambers for the wisest scribes.
Except in rare cases no visitor can remain in Candlekeep for
more than 10 days at a time, or enter the monastery less than a
month after leaving it. Order in the Keep is kept by the
Gatewarden’s five underofficers: four Watchers and the Keeper of
the Portal, all five of whom have a force of armed monks as
assistants.
The Seekers are the lowest monks. They research and fetch
and carry. Above them are the Scribes, who copy out works or
compile books to sell from various sources in the library – the chief
source of income for the community. Above the Scribes are the
Chanter and the Readers. The current Keeper of the Tomes is
Ulraunt, a proud and haughty minor mage. The current First Reader,
Tethtoril, is often mistaken by visitors for the Keeper because of his
intelligent, regal, and sensitive demeanour.
Candlekeep has but one absolute rule: “Those who destroy
knowledge, with ink, fire, or sword, are themselves destroyed.”
Here, books are more valuable than people.

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Baldur’s Gate
This port city is shelter and lifeline for the folk of the Coast. It offers
the discerning shopper a wide selection of goods – there are a total of
six major inns, six main taverns, seven general stores, six primary
temples, and a full-service magic store, along with hundreds of lesser
buildings. Baldur’s Gate is a tolerant but well-policed city of merchants,
and quiet trade and business are the general order of each day. The
Flaming Fist Mercenary Company, over a thousand strong, is based in
the city. Every tenth person or so is a member of the Fist or a watch
agent (well, spy), skilled in battle and within a breath or two of
numerous armed allies. The visitor can freely stroll and shop. The city
has a system of magical lamps that provide light to its inhabitants in
the evening and the night hours, which is one reason why the crime
rate is so low (keeping the merchants and storekeepers happy!)
The city is named for the legendary sea faring explorer Balduran,
who long ago sailed past the elven homeland Evermeet in search of
the rich, fabled isles of Anchoromé (pronounced ”Ang-kor-OH-may”).
Balduran returned with tales of strange, vast lands across the seas.
He also brought back great wealth, and scattered it about his
sparsely-settled home harbour, commanding that some of it be spent
on a wall to protect against tribal orc and barbarian raids (still a
problem in the area, in those long-ago days). Then he set sail again
for the wondrous lands he had found. Balduran never returned.
Whatever Balduran’s true fate, his money was spent on a
splendid city wall. Within its protection, building went on at a great
pace, soon expanding beyond its confines. The wall was built by
farmers who put it around their own holdings, excluding the actual
harbour from its protection. This allowed them to tax all carts
coming up from the docks to the protection of the walled city. The
colleagues of Balduran, sea captains to whom the harbour was
home, angrily insisted that the gate by which southern trade and
the harbour traffic entered the city was ”Baldur’s Gate,” and they
refused to pay for entering. The strife ended in the overthrow of the
enriched farmers and the seizure of the city (which came to be
called Baldur’s Gate) by the sea captains.
The four oldest captains, their days at sea drawing to a close,
turned over their ships to younger sailors, who in turn supported
their installation as rulers of the fledgling city. The four called
themselves “dukes” as a joke, but the titles proved useful when
dealing with other rulers, and they were later glorified by the
appellation “grand.” Now called the Council of Four, elected by the
populace for life (or until resignation), the present grand dukes are
Entar Silvershield (a high level fighter), Liia Jannath (a powerful
wizard), the adventurer known only as Belt (a strong fighter), and
Eltan (the commander of the Flaming Fist mercenary company).

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 Buildings in Baldur’s Gate tend to be tall and narrow, with slit
windows located high and covered with shutters to block out winter
winds and nesting seabirds. Tall among them rises the grandly-
spired ducal palace of the four ruling grand dukes, known as the
High Hall – a place for feasts, court hearings, and administrative
business. Not far from the palace stands the High House of
Wonders, consecrated to the deity Gond. It is the by far the largest
of the Gate’s three temples. Its spreading eastern wings face the
Hall of Wonders, also on Windspell Street, where the more
successful of Gond’s inventions are displayed to the public. Not far
from the Hall of Wonders, near the Black Dragon Gate, is the Wide.
This huge open space is the Gate’s market. It bustles day and night,
and is usually “open space” only in the sense that there are no
buildings. Temporary stalls, bins, sale tables, and shoppers
thronging to them usually crowd shoulder to shoulder. Outside the
Wide, Baldur’s Gate lacks colourful landmarks. The ever-present
damp discourages the use of banners, open shops, and the like.
Those wishing to overindulge in drink and in the company of
the opposite sex are directed to the Undercellar, a little-known,
damp, dark warren of linked cellars entered just off the Wide.
These are but a few of the many landmarks of this fine city. For the
rest, I refer you to the excellent city map I have prepared for would-be
adventurers within Baldur’s Gate. I’ve tried to indicate most of the
inns, taverns, stores, and temples there for you, my friends – Volo
Hall of Wonders – Museum and Shop
This huge high-pillared stone hall displays the grandest glories of
Gond to the faithful and the curious. Its cellars contain replicas of
the wonders on display. Folk come from afar to see the marvels
here. Many go away thoughtful, determined to create similar
devices of their own and save themselves the awesome prices
charged by the clergy of Gond. The Hall is dimly lit by enchanted
glowing globes and is staffed by ever-watchful priests of Gond. It is
crowded with gleaming mechanisms that represent the more
successful inventions devised for the greater glory of Gond
Wonderbringer, god of artifice, craft, and construction. The High
House, its parent temple, faces it across Windspell Street. The Hall
has held many marvels over the years. Currently on display are
many small devices and a few large pieces. Many of the small
devices seem to be locks or strongboxes so devised as to look like
something else, from goblets to statues to chairs. The larger items
include a mechanical scribe, a steam dragon, a pump of Gond, an
everlight, a fan chair, and a farseer. Unless one tries to damage,
move, or tamper with a device, or states a clear and serious intent
to purchase, the priests are usually far too busy fending off ever-
present, awe-struck gnomes – who travel to the Hall daily to gawk

44 ™
tirelessly at the wonders there – to speak to visitors. The devices on
display in the main Hall are the work of priests, who duplicated
original prototypes, and the originals aren’t for sale under any
circumstances.

Elfsong Tavern
This tavern is the local watering hole, meeting place, and hiring
spot for adventurers. A popular destination for pirates and outlaws
on the loose in the Coastlands, it is a place the watch turns a blind
eye toward, unless rowdiness and battle erupt. Those wishing to
fence stolen goods, hire unusual folk for unrespectable tasks, and
hear tall tales of daring adventure often come here early and stay
late.
The tavern is named for an unusual haunting – a ghostly female
elven voice heard from time to time all over the establishment. It
isn’t loud, but can be heard clearly everywhere, and is both
beautiful and mournful. No one is sure just who the singer is –
although it’s clear she’s singing a lament for a lover lost at sea – or
how the haunting came to be. No other music is permitted in the
Elfsong.
The ground floor is devoted to a taproom that serves melted
cheese sandwiches (spiced or unspiced, as you prefer), pickles,
and fist-sized twists of dried herring – and drinks of all types, of
course. Several dark, twisting stairs lead up to private meeting
rooms that can be rented by the candle (the time it takes a short
taper to burn down) or an evening. Those with enemies are
warned that the dimness on the stairs has concealed many a
seeking knife thrust or poisoned hand crossbow bolt.
The bartender has a prediliction to spread potentially useful
gossip and rumours, but only when his palm is weighted and some
drinks are quaffed. Patrons can – and are expected to – go armed
when in the Elfsong, and the known rule is that all beings need to
protect their own backs.

The Blade and Stars

This inn is named for its enchanted signboard, looted from a
ruined village in Amn after a long-ago trade war. It’s a large black
sign displaying a curved saber held by a delicate, long-fingered
female human hand. The sign is enchanted so that stars wink and
slowly drift around the blade. The inn itself is less exciting, but still
a good, safe, clean, pleasant place to stay.
The Blade is a long, tall building with attached stables and
kitchens on one side and balconies opening out of upper rooms on
the other. Its furnishings are clean and fairly new. There’s a small

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lounge off the front lobby for guests to meet citizens in. Vigilant
stairwatchers on staff keep track of guests’ comings and goings,
discouraging street thieves and even dopplegangers, who are a
growing problem.
Rowdy or reckless guests are warned, once – and if something
else happens, firmly asked to leave. On cold nights, the proprietor,
Aundegul Shawn, is happy to talk, but only when his palm is
liberally greased with gold.

The Blushing Mermaid

The Mermaid is known up and down the Coast lands as a meeting
place in which to conduct illicit business for folk who are dangerous or
criminal. It is a noisy, brawling establishment. I can recommend it only
to those who go well armed, who know how to use their weapons,
and who bring lots of loyal friends with similar skills.
The Mermaid is a long, low, ramshackle place with a confusing
maze of wings, outbuildings, stockaded enclosures, and stables
surrounding it on three sides – the better to give cover to those
trying to approach or leave unseen, most Baldurians say. It has at
least four levels of cellars – many more, some say – and rumours
abound of secret passages, or even connections to an underground
stream connecting with the harbour.
Rooms at the Mermaid are low-ceilinged, dingy, and apt to be
furnished with mismatched pieces that have seen better days. In
general, they are loot-and-salvage pieces that have seen heavy use
since their installation here. The visitor will find in the Mermaid an
astonishing collection of smooth-tongued, old sea dogs nursing
drinks at all hours. Each one is a contact person for this or that

Maybe Volo means the sewers? Not a stream I would much

fancy crossing – Elminster
cabal, thieving brotherhood, smuggler, mercenary band, fence,
panderer, or other shady professional interest. Negotiations with
such contacts usually consist of a nasty grin and a case of
temporary deafness until at least a few coins are given –
whereupon they recall their voice, hearing, and manners, and
inquire as to your own fortune. Once satisfied the coins you’ve
dropped are of good quality, he’ll tell you what you want to know
and arrange a meeting, or send you to a contact who can. I report
all this secondhand, of course! A stay at the Mermaid is apt to be
safe, so long as one avoids battle and does nothing overly insulting
or stupid. Beer at the Mermaid is sea ale (thicker and more bitter
than most tongues find enjoyable), stout, and a light, golden-hued
lager from Mintarn. No wines are available, but one can get whisky

46 ™
strong and smoky enough to strip paint or tar from wood. It brings
tears to the eyes of most who drink it, and probably worse things to
their insides!

The Helm and Cloak

This grand inn, rooming, and feasting house is favoured by those
who’ve lots of coins to spare – both citizens of the Gate, who enjoy
the dining room, and travelers. There’s even a floor of long-term
rental rooms. Most of these are currently occupied by members of
the Knights of the Unicorn, romantic adventurers described by a
regular patron as elegant buffoons. The Helm is the fashionable
place to dine and chat, much favoured by those of power. Many an
important business deal or alliance has been negotiated in its
luxurious alcoves. The Helm avoids the haughty and gaudy,
unerringly choosing the best of informal good taste, traditional
furnishings, and thoughtful service. Warmed robe and slippers are
brought to your room when you’re heard to rise in the morn. There’s
also mead (very ordinary) and cinnamon-spiced milk available (hot or
cold, as you prefer), but no beer of any sort to be had.

“We’re not running a tavern, here m’lord,” sniffed one of the senior
servants to me, when I inquired why - Volo

Three Old Kegs

This cozy timber-and-stone inn has three old kegs hanging from
a roof pole in place of a signboard. Those bold or whimsical
enough to enter and stay will find one of the best inns in all Faerûn.
Everything is comfortable and a little shabby, but the staff is quiet
friendly. Where there aren’t paintings, there are bookshelves
crammed with old diaries, travel books, collections of ballads and
legends, and grand and overblown histories of heroes. Regular
patrons snooze and read the days away, rousing themselves from
time to time for a glass of wine, mug of broth, or a game of dice,
cards, or shove-skittles. Both the wine and the broth are excellent,
but they, along with iced water and dark and nutty malt bread, are
the only fare to be had in the place. The thick beastskin rugs,
paneling, books, and tapestries absorb most sound. The Kegs is a
quiet place. Come here for a reasonable and comfortable rest, a
haven against the bustle of business or adventure. Patrons are
asked to keep their weapons in their rooms, and excessive
rowdiness is not permitted. Drunks often awaken in the morning to
find themselves sleeping out back in the hay pile by the kitchen
door. The innkeeper is a tall, quiet man with a mane of long, curly
black hair and a sword scar that runs from his nose diagonally
across one cheek. His name is Nantrin Bellowglyn, and he’s a

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Tethyrian noble’s retired guard who fled that land when civil strife
erupted and his lord was slain.

Beregost
Tired travelers on the Coast Way between Baldur’s Gate and
Amn often stop in Beregost. Beregost is located just off the road
about a day’s travel south of where the Way of the Lion branches
off from the Coast Way. This town, while much smaller than
Baldur’s Gate, boasts three inns, two stores, a magic shop, a
temple, and a decent tavern. It’s within reach of the northern
borders of Amn. Merchants of that land often use it as a rendezvous
for caravan assembly before attempting the perilous overland runs
north to Waterdeep or east to the Sea of Fallen Stars. As a result,
this small town gets very crowded at unpredictable intervals.
Begun as a farming village under the protection of a school of
wizardry, Beregost is now dominated by the Song of the Morning, a
major temple to Lathander.

Beregost
Beregost

The other point of interest near Beregost is the ruin of Ulcaster’s

school. The mage Ulcaster, a conjurer of note, founded his school
over 300 years ago – but grew too successful, attracting would-be
wizards from all over the Sword Coast. Calishite mages came to
fear the school’s power and destroyed it in spell battle, though
Ulcaster himself disappeared during the fray and was never found.

48 ™
The school burned to an empty shell, which still stands on a hill
east of the town. Local fear of the ruin, which is said to be haunted
by spell-casting phantoms, has caused Beregost to expand to the
west of the Coast Way road, leaving the hills east to the sheep. On
a related note, Beregost has only one tavern, called the Burning
Wizard (of course!).
The governor of Beregost is Kelddath Ormlyr. Although there is a
five-person town council, the governor’s word is law, and he is a
tireless proponent of farming, business, and urban improvement.
He is also Most Radiant of Lathander (high priest of the temple), and
his temple troops police the town, keeping it safe. In this, he has
two powerful allies: the wizard Thalantyr, a conjurer of great repute,
and the smith Taerom “Thunderhammer” Fuiruim.

High Hedge
West of the main settlement of Beregost stands High Hedge,
Thalantyr’s estate. Thalantyr is a courtly man who can sometimes
be seen walking about the countryside, his long, black staff in hand.
Locals say he’s interested in far-off places and things, and is
sometimes absent for long periods. Those who’ve seen his abode
say that it’s a dark, turreted stone house.

Thunderhammer Smithy, Armour Maker and Weaponsmith

Taerom ”Thunderhammer” Fuiruim is a burly giant. His chestnut
hair and mutton-chop whiskers are now shot through with gray and
white, but his huge hands remain strong and deft. He is a master
armourer, and his warmongery equals the best in Faerûn. On several
occasions he’s made items for Thalantyr to enspell, and even
dwarven smiths admire his work. Taerom keeps over a dozen
apprentices busy with all the orders that come his way (mainly from
Amn). He fights with a huge iron staff and has been known to slay
gnolls with a single blow, but is generally a quiet man. He is not
given to leadership, but is respected in town more than anyone else.

The Burning Wizard

This tavern is a bustling place, favoured by the locals and
visitors. Acolytes of Lathander are trained to keep lively
conversations and entertainments going here. This is a good little
place, with several small rooms adorned with bric-a-brac donated
by loyal regulars. It’s a delight to find enough cushions in a room to
let one sit up in bed in comfort!

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Feldepost’s Inn
Named for its now-deceased founder, this is an old and
comfortable place. Service is careful and kind, if a trifle slow, but a
room comes with a fire alight (except in hot weather), and a warm
bath that is filled by several old men of many smiles but few words.
The food is superior. Don’t miss the cheese and cucumber buns, or
the onion and mushroom tarts served by the hearth in the
evenings. (The tarts are free if you’re ordering drinks). The inn cellar
includes an excellent sherry.

The Red Sheaf

Folk come to the Sheaf for fast service. This inn prides itself on
getting you to your room or to a board in the dining room as quickly
as possible. If the weather is cold or wet, you’ll find yourself in a
warm house robe before a crackling fire just as quickly, with your
wet things taken to the warming room behind the kitchen to dry on
warmed stone shelves. This is Beregost’s largest inn and is favoured
by merchants wanting to hold business meetings or sit in quiet.

The Jovial Juggler

This inn is on the edge of town, on the west side of the road. Its
huge sign depicting a laughing carnival juggler in jester-like garb identifies
it instantly. It’s an average roadhouse, but young Beregostans love it –
it’s their dancing and drinking club. It outpays Feldeposts for minstrels
and other entertainers, and there’s scarcely a night at the Juggler without
some sort of loud revelry. In addition there is almost continuous feasting
complete with oxen, hogs, and boars roasted whole. Thankfully, all of
that’s confined to one wing, so patrons can get some sleep!

The Friendly Arm Inn

This walled hamlet located on the Coast Way several days north of
Beregost consists of a stone keep (the inn) with stables, gardens, a
horse pond, and caravan wagon sheds. It also shelters a few houses,
a large meeting hall with a many-pillared entrance, a small store and
magic shop, and a temple to Garl Glittergold, chief god of the
gnomes. The Friendly Arm was once the hold of an evil priest of
Bhaal who was destroyed in undead form by a band of adventurers
led by the gnome thief and illusionist Bentley Mirrorshade. Bentley set
his comrades-at-arms to work renovating the keep, and it soon
opened as a fortified waystop on the Coast Way in territory often
endangered by brigands and raiding bands of orcs, kobolds, bug-
bears, and trolls. Though these perils have lessened somewhat since
the Arm was founded, the safe, clean inn is still a favourite stop.

50 ™
The Temple of Wisdom
This low building has interior walls studded with gems and gold
nuggets. Guarded by many illusions, it is a temple to Garl
Glittergold, primary deity of the gnomes. Human worshippers, some
of whom have dubbed the place the Shrine of the Short, are
welcomed here.

The Friendly Arm

Inside the walls of the Friendly Arm, peace is maintained by a
common agreement among guests that this be one of the rare neutral
havens in the Realms. Of course, there is always the magic and
adventuring help Bentley can call on, and the rumour that some of
the fetching barmaids are really iron golems concealed by powerful
illusions! I was unable to confirm this belief beyond learning that one
serving wench has a grip like iron – before she threw me back out of
the bedroom she was tidying! (Perhaps the inn was named after her.
She did help me up afterward.) The energetic, and affable hosts of
the Arm are Bentley and his wife Gellana (who also presides over the
temple). The pair are kind, perceptive, and could probably deal an
Amnian merchant out of his last copper piece – no small task! The
house they keep has large, airy rooms, and good, simple food.
Everything is clean, cheerful, and uncrowded – unless there’s a
meeting going on – the Arm has become a favourite spot for
business gatherings and negotiations alike.

Nashkel
South of Beregost and north of the Cloudpeak mountains is the
village of Nashkel. Rumour is that it’s a nice place, but I haven’t had
time to visit there myself. I have heard that it’s a little smaller than
Beregost, but has a temple, an inn, two stores (one reputed to sell
some magical goods), and a fine tavern. I’ll try and journey there in
my next sojourn through the Sword Coast– if you hear that I stay
away because I am frightened of kobolds or some evil presence in
the mountains, I am here to say that is not the case!

Gullykin
This small village of halflings is in the eastern part of the Baldur’s
Gate region. I didn’t make it there after I heard about the kobolds
around Nash... I mean, because I’ve never been partial to halfling
holes. But the halflings have at least one temple, so it might be
worth your while to have a look, if you’re out that way, that is.

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Power Groups of the
Sword Coast

I n addition to the various cities and towns, there are a number

of other powers within the Realms, all operating to their own
ends, and often ignoring national boundaries. These are secret
societies, cults, and adventuring companies that seek to put
forward their own agenda to further their cause.

The Harpers
The Harpers are a semi–secret society based in the Heartlands, The
Harpers have seen a number of incarnations through the years, with
rising and falling levels of political power. They are primarily a group that
is allied with a number of good churches, and are receiving support
from powerful neutral parties, including druidic circles. Their aim is to
keep the dangers to civilisation at bay, including goblin raids, dragon
flights, and the insidious control of other groups such as the Zhentarim,
Red Wizards, the Commer, or the Cult of the Dragon. They believe in the
power of individuals, the balance between the wild and the civilised,
and the good of humankind and its allied sentient races. They also
believe in preserving the tales of the past, so that one may learn from
those tales for the future. The Harpers attract a wide variety of character
types, but this society is most attractive to elves, rangers, and bards.
Harpers are spread throughout the North and the Heartlands, often
operating in secret. They are by their nature meddlers, and often operate
alone or in small groups to achieve their ends, Except when battling
long-term foes, it is unimportant to them if their name is connected with
their actions (their own tales and songs are another matter). The Harpers
are an amorphous organisation, and as such have no main base of
operations. The Harpers are a force of good in the Realms, and good-
aligned characters may find themselves being aided by unseen allies if
their business aids the organisation. The only hint as to these allies’
identity is the harp and moon symbol of the group.

The Iron Throne

Independent merchants generally tend to be individuals who
deal on face value and (at least reputed) honesty. They also tend to
stay out of politics, other than currying the favour of whoever or
whatever is currently in charge of their favourite watering holes and
way stops. Merchants trust to their luck but hire mercenaries as
protection, and enough of their goods get through to make them
profitable. The rulership of the lands they pass through is up to
others, including retired members of their craft, whom they trust to
give them a fair shake.

52 ™
 An apparent exception to this is the Iron Throne, a mysterious
organisation which has been operating over the past few decades.
Despite its long existence, little is known of its purpose or the
identity of its backers. The Iron Throne operates through agents,
mostly low-level thugs and brigands who have only recently taken
legitimate employment and entered into the service of the merchant
roster. The turnover is apparently high, since Iron Throne agents
often seem to lapse into their old ways. The Throne denies all
complicity in any criminal acts by their agents, and replaces them
regularly. The Iron Throne wishes to maintain a patina of
respectability, regardless of how thin. Recently, the veneer has
become thin indeed, for the Iron Throne has been charged with
attempted assassination of competition, extortion, and thuggery,
trading weapons to humanoid tribes, and trafficking in
smokepowder, poison, and contraband. There have been frequent
reports of conflicts between Iron Throne caravans and agents and
those sponsored by the Zhentarim. The Iron Throne has recently
been banished for a year from acting within Cormyr, and many
suspect them of branching out to new locales.
The masters of the Iron Throne are at present unknown, and
have to this date resisted all attempts to magically divine their
identities or intentions. This indicates some level of magical ability
or protection on their parts, and rumours are rampant. Some say
that the Iron Throne members are secretly agents of the Zhentarim,
or of Cormyr, and previous actions against those groups are only to
hide their trail. Some claim that a god is involved, such as Cyric or
an even darker power (if such a thing is possible). Other rumours
point to undead beholders, expired deities, sentient lizards, or pale-
blue sea giants as the true masters of the merchant company and
the secret of its power. The truth remains to be seen.

The Red Wizards

The Red Wizards are the rulers of Thay, and the powerful ruling
Zulkirs of that land are chosen from among their numbers. The Red
Wizards are abroad throughout the Realms as spies and agents of
their kingdom. Their actions are supposedly for the good of their
home government, but each Red Wizard has his or her own agenda
to pursue. The stated goal of the Red Wizards is to establish Thay
as the superior political and magical force in the Realms. The Red
Wizards encountered in the Realms may be working toward this
end, advancing their own causes, or seeking to discredit others,
including other Red Wizards. The Byzantine plots of the Red
Wizards are so involved that it is often difficult to determine where
one ends and another begins. The Red Wizards are many things,
but one of the things that they are not is subtle. Swaggering,
boastful, loud, insulting, and dangerous, yes, but never subtle.

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It takes great control for a Red Wizard to affect personal humility, no
matter how slight, or tolerate even the most subtle reproach to the
superiority of the Thayvian people. Despite this, there are always
(apparently) new Red Wizards to challenge adventurers.

The Shadow Thieves

The Shadow Thieves are a wide-ranging guild of thieves, spies,
and assassins who perform particularly dangerous, evil-aligned, and
lucrative ventures. Their activities, unlike those of most thieving
guilds, are not limited to a single city, and they range the length of
the Sword Coast from Luskan to Calimport. A group directly
opposed to the Lords of Waterdeep and all their allies, the Shadow
Thieves are based in Athkatla, in Amn (south of Baldur’s Gate),
where they have a massive training complex and a testing ground
for the assassins they sponsor. This group was once the thieves
guild of Waterdeep, until they were driven out of that city by the
Lords of Waterdeep. The Shadow Thieves have sponsored an
assassins guild in Athkatla with the eventual aim of slaying all of the
Lords of Waterdeep. In the meantime, this secretive organisation
appears to have reached some sort of agreement with the
merchant lords of Amn, who would benefit from turmoil in their
trade rival, Waterdeep (and perhaps also wish to avoid being on the
assassins’ list of targets themselves). Under this pact the merchant
lords leave the Shadow Thieves alone and are in turn left alone.
The Shadow Thieves operate up and down the Sword Coast; their
trademark is a black silk mask impaled upon a stiletto blade (usually
used in assassinations, or left behind at the scene if a garrote or
poison is employed instead). No names, descriptions, or even
numbers of Shadow Thieves are known; extremely experienced
operators are thought to be few.

The Zhentarim
The Black Network of the Zhentarim is a not-so-secret group of
mages, priests, and warriors devoted to the task of dominating
trade, and therefore power, throughout the Heartlands region. To
that end they work to achieve the downfall of an ever-increasing list
of opponents, including the Dalelands, the Harpers, rival Moonsea
cities, the Cult of the Dragon, Cormyr, Sembia, and anyone else
who gets in their way. That which cannot be infiltrated and
controlled must be cowed into obedience or destroyed.
The Black Network is active throughout the Heartlands, but
currently has three major bases of operations. Darkhold has been
established as a base within the Far Hills (a few week’s east of
Baldur’s Gate), and stands as a terminus in the Western Heartlands
for caravans from the northern, southern, and eastern Realms. The

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Citadel of the Raven, on the borders of Thar, is a major military
base as well. The third headquarters, and birthplace of the
organisation, Zhentil Keep, has been less influential over the years
owing to the rise of the church of Cyric. Despite having a major
figure in the church in their employ, the Zhentarim have been less
than effective in dominating the new faith, in contrast to the degree
of control they had over the church of Bane. As a result, most of
the daily deviltry of the Black Network comes from the other two
locations, which have the added advantage of having no native
civilian population to get in the way (or lead a revolt).
Trade is a major component of the Zhentarim’s income, and
they are not limited morally to the transport of ores and finished
goods – they also do business in poisons, contraband, weapons,
and slaves. Conquest is also high on the Zhentarim agenda, often
using the forces of Zhentil Keep or another catspaw such as Voonlar
or Llorkh. They also make extensive use of humanoid tribes and
mercenaries, usually promising payment with the spoils of pillage
after the battle. The chief intent in battle is to punish enemies or
weaken rivals, and it is usually implemented after failure to take
over the community from within.

The Mages of Halruaa

A rising presence in Faerûn comes from the South, from the
mystical and near-legendary land of Halruaa. This land is reputed to
be controlled by powerful wizards, and wizardry there is
incorporated into common use. It is a land where castles float on
the breeze, water runs uphill, and even the meanest scullery maid
knows a few cantrips to make her job go smoother. The true nature
of Halruaa is best described by those who have pierced its
mountainous borders.
In Faerûn, these mages are best known for their flying ships,
which are slung beneath great bags filled with volatile gases. These
flying ships are the hallmark of the Halruaan mage, and often
appear off the coasts of many port cities in the Realms,
approaching from the water, in the manner of standard craft, but
remaining ”above it all.” The merchant-mages who control these
crafts seem above it all as well, dealing in few items, often of little
worth to their owners, and paying extravagant prices. It is said that
the Mages of Halruaa seek the perfect components for their mighty
spells, while others say the act of trading is merely a cover for
darker, more sinister acts committed when the ship is in port. What
is known is that every sailor on these ships has magical abilities.
It has been increasingly apparent that the Mages have a second
set of operatives at their command who work more quietly within
the great trading cities of the North and the Heartlands. These are

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shopkeepers, merchants, and common traders who act as the eyes
and ears of the Halruaans, keeping abreast of new developments,
particularly the appearance of powerful items of magic. Such
artifacts are regularly sought out by the Halruaans, though whether
to research them, destroy them, or merely keep them out of the
hands of others is unknown. It is known that often after a powerful
relic has been unearthed, the city where it appeared receives a visit
from the great floating ships of the Mages of Halruaa.

Caution is advised when dealing with any of these factions.

I fear some may be even more influential than Volo indicates.
–Elminster

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Major Characters of the Sword Coast
See above summary for more people – particularly the Dukes of
Baldur’s Gate and other notables in that fair city. These below are
a few of note that I also wanted to mention to you, dear readers
–Volo
Drizzt Do’Urden
(Dritst Doe-URR-den) Drizzt the dark elf (Chaotic Good, drow elf male,
ranger 16th level). A renegade drow ranger who has escaped the
oppressive regime of his underground homeland, Drizzt Do’Urden is
among the most famous of drow in the Realms owing to his deeds
on the surface. He may be found abroad while engaged in acts of
daring, particularly in rolling back the tribes of goblins and evil
humans in the North. His fame and hatred of his former homeland
has made him a target of other drow who hope to earn favour with
their evil goddess Lloth by killing the renegade. Drizzt wears mithril
chain mail +4, a gift of King Bruenor. He wields two magical
scimitars simultaneously. These scimitars are Icingdeath, a
frostbrand +3, and Twinkle, a defender +5, which glows when
enemies are near. His most prized possession is a figurine of
wondrous power of an onyx panther. The panther’s name is
Guenhwyvar. He doesn’t use the panther unless severely taxed, as
he is limited to using it for a certain period of time each day.

Elminster
(El MINN-ster) Elminster the Sage (Chaotic Good, human male, wizard
29th level). The exact age of Elminster is unknown and his year of birth
unrecorded. From his tales, it is suspected he learned his magical arts at
the feet of Arkhon the Old, who died in what is now Waterdeep over
500 years ago, and he may have been in Myth Drannor near that
magical realms final days. The exact nature of these claims remains
unproven, but most Realms natives who know him consider Elminster
an eternal force in the world. The Sage currently makes his abode in the
tiny farm community of Shadowdale, living in a two-story house
overlooking a fishpond with his aide and scribe, Lhaeo. He is often
abroad, both elsewhere in the Realms and in other planes, where he
hobnobs with the great and the not-so-great in a relentless pursuit of
knowledge. Elminster may be the most knowledgeable and well-
informed individual in the Realms*. His areas of specialisation are the
Realms and its people, ecologies of various creatures, magical items
and their histories, and the known planes of existence. Elminster no
longer tutors or works for hire save in the most pressing cases. He
seems to prize his independence and solitude, but on several occasions
has opened his tower to newcomers and visitors. Many of Elminster’s
former students and allies include some of the most powerful good

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individuals in the realms, including some of the Lords of Waterdeep; the
Simbul, ruler of Aglarond; and the group known as the Harpers.
*Though this may be only his own opinion, it is often voiced in
his discussions with others –Volo
Volothamp Geddarm
Volo (Chaotic Good, Human Male, Wizard 5th level). A roguish
magician known for his neatly trimmed beard, stylish beret and acid
tongue, Volo is a feature throughout the Realms – a brief feature,
since his honesty in reporting often puts him at odds with the local
merchants, constabulatory, and wizards. He has written a number
of works, including a popular series of guides to various cities and
Volo’s Guide to All Things Magical, a suppressed work dealing with
magic “for the common people.” Volo is an eminent sage who
concerns himself with wizards and with the geography and lore of
the Realms.

Eminent indeed! – Elminster

As a result, he is a fountain of knowledge on subjects and more
than willing to share the juiciest portions with whomever will listen.
As a result, Volo must move around a lot in order to stay alive,
which adds to his storehouse of information on geography, Heroes
may find Volo anywhere in the Realms, usually on the run from this
irate wizard or that angry innkeeper.

The price of fame, or infamy? – Elminster

Bentley Mirrorshade, Friendly Arm Inn

Bentley (Chaotic Good, gnome male, illusionist 10th level/thief 10th
level). This industrious gnome illusionist abandoned life as an
adventurer to run the Friendly Arm Inn in a keep he and adventurer
comrades seized and cleared of monsters some 20 seasons ago. A
clever, alert, curly-haired innkeeper who has a habit of humming
when deep in thought and of scratching his large nose when
concerned, Bentley’s always a step ahead of troublemakers and
misfortune. A veteran travelling Coast merchant called him “a
master anticipator.” Aided by his wife Gellana, he has made the
Arm a safe, friendly, clean, well-defended spot, a ”must” stop for
overland travelers. There are persistent rumours that Bentley
sponsors adventuring bands and is involved in half a dozen covert
schemes or shady merchant cabals. He certainly never seems short
of money. On several occasions he’s hired mercenaries to bolster
his defenses in the dead of winter or hired wizards to teleport
needed items from far-off cities.

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Gellana Mirrorshade, Friendly Arm Inn
Gellana (Neutral Good, gnome female, priest 10th level). This quiet,
observant priestess of Garl Glittergold runs the Temple of Wisdom in
the walled inn community known as the Friendly Arm and helps
her husband Bentley run the inn as a safe, secure place. Where
Bentley is an expert at sniffing out the schemes of living folk and
seeing what they’ll need, try, and want, Gellana takes a longer view
and is always looking at the larger picture. She ordered and
oversaw the digging of deeper wells for the inn’s water supply and
the rigging of secondary pumps in case the main ones fail or are
wrecked by orcs. She also planned the inn gardens, adding
window boxes and rooftop beds to the ground plots, and making all
garden locations produce food or herbs for the inn kitchens. Gellana
welcomes humans to her worship services, and has made many
converts. She has also become something of a folk hero among
gnomes in western Faerûn as ”the quiet and true power behind a
gnome who made it.” Gnome mothers often speak of her to their
daughters as someone they should emulate if they’d like to share
as large a slice of success.

Most Radiant of Lathander, Kelddath Ormlyr, Beregost

Kelddath (Neutral Good, human male priest, 16th level). Governor of
Beregost and high priest of the temple to Lathander there, Kelddath
is a patient, energetic supporter of local improvement. He’s always
advising or lending money to new local businesses and to farmers
trying to expand or modernise their holdings. His temple troops
police the town attentively and try to prevent adventurers and
others from exploring local ruins. Any rowdiness or lawlessness is
swiftly and harshly dealt with. Kelddath wants Beregost to have a
reputation for being the safest Sword Coast town in order to
encourage trade and travel.

Taerom “Thunderhammer” Fuiruim, Beregost

Taerom (Neutral Good, human male, fighter 5th level). This master
armourer has his own smithy in Beregost and is a smith whose
work is admired even by dwarves. Though he’s grown white-haired
with the passing of years, he’s still an active, burly giant of a man.
He keeps to himself, working at his forge, but can slay gnolls with a
single blow of his12-foot-long iron staff. Taerom has often made
items fine enough for wizards to enchant, but these days he’s more
apt to make small, useful things like hooks, locks, hinges, and
coffers. He sports magnificent muttonchop whiskers and stands
almost 7 feet tall, with shoulders almost 4 feet broad. He has a
distinctive rolling stride.

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First Reader, Tethtoril, Candlekeep
Tethtoril (Lawful Good, human male, priest of
Mystra, 18th level). This tall, impressive, and soft-
spoken man is often mistaken for the Keeper of
Tomes of Candlekeep. He is more intelligent, regal,
and sensitive than his superior Ulraunt, by far – and
Ulraunt knows it. Yet Tethtoril is unfailingly loyal,
and diligent in his duties, often anticipating troubles
and preparing beforehand to spare Candlekeep
troubles – or Ulraunt any embarrassment. Most
Holy Mystra often whispers to Tethtoril in his
dreams, bidding him to do this or that – and in this
way has led him to unearth spells from forgotten tomes; kept
Elminster, Khelben, and the Harpers tolerated in Candlekeep; and
prevented Ulraunt from being seduced by darker powers (most
recently, Cyric).

He may not know it, but Tethoril is one of the safest men in
all of the Realms. No less than 3 separate deities (Mystra,
Oghma and Deneir) will directly intervene if he is
threatened. Do try to be polite in his presence. –
Elminster

Thalantyr the Conjurer, Beregost

Thalantyr (Neutral Good, human male, wizard 17th level). An
archmage of note, Thalantyr is a courtly, solitary man who enjoys
walks in the countryside while armed with his staff of power. He
dwells in a guarded estate known as High Hedge, west of Beregost.
Once an adventurer who eagerly sought the lost magic of Netheril in
crumbling ruins, he’s now retired. And although he’s left the perils of
that profession, he’ll help other adventurers with advice and spells
for fees. He’ll also warn them that they may find a lot more than they
intended to, as he did – but won’t be much more specific. One
gathers from long conversations with him that he met some sort of
horrible monster and was enslaved for a time, escaping only through
luck. He is said to have won his freedom with spellbooks and other
magical relics of Netheril that make him self-supporting, so that he
need not travel the planes or go adventuring in Toril any longer.

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Keeper of the Tomes, Ulraunt, Candlekeep
Ulraunt (Lawful Neutral, human male, wizard 9th
level). The head of fortified Candlekeep, Ulraunt is a
proud scholar, one of the most learned – and one
of the most haughty – people in all Faerûn. His
sharp tongue, large nose, and dark-eyed, hawklike
gaze have earned him the nickname ”the Old
Buzzard” among acolytes down the years – a term
that has even crept into general use in the Coast
lands. Ulraunt has access to more spells than most
wizards see in their lives, and he reportedly keeps
in practice casting them in his private turret
chamber and in caverns deep beneath Candlekeep. A secret
passage is said to connect these heights and depths. He bears a
magical staff of office rumoured to be a staff of the magi with extra,
extremely potent powers. Ulraunt and those among the Great
Readers who are wizards have access to spell scrolls all over
Candlekeep – scrolls hidden behind wooden panels and within false
tomes. Ulraunt’s chief interest is acquiring ever more information.
His aims in life are unknown beyond making Candlekeep the seat
of a land of scholars and a power on the political stage of Faerûn.
Several tales link him with young ladies of various noble houses,
Waterdeep, and Tethyr in his earlier years – and there’s a newer
rumour tying him romantically to some of the icy-cold, haughty
elven ladies who come to the Sword Coast from Evermeet.

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Some Monsters of the Sword Coast

T his is by no means a complete list of the monsters you will

encounter, my friends; I have seen many more in the area of
Baldur’s Gate myself. These are a few of the most
representative, at least for the safer areas.
You’ll probably run into these first, and if you’re lucky you won’t see
any more !
Try not to venture too far away from the taverns, friends! –Volo

Black bear
A rather common omnivorous mammal, the bear tends to avoid
humans unless provoked. Exceptions to this rule can be a most
unfortunate occurrence.
Bears are, in general, large and powerful animals which are found
throughout the world’s temperate and cooler climates. With dense
fur protecting them from the elements and powerful claws
protecting them from other animals, bears are the true rulers of the
animal kingdom in the areas where they live.
The so-called black bear actually ranges in colour from black to
light brown. It is smaller than the brown bear and the most
widespread species by far.

Brown bear
The brown bear, of which the infamous grizzly is the most well
known variety, is a bear of very aggressive disposition. Brown
bears are more carnivorous than their smaller cousins, the black
bears. The grizzly in particular will often bring down large game
such as deer and elk.

Other types of bears have been seen upon the Sword Coast, but
most species mind their own business unless provoked! –Volo

Carrion crawler
The carrion crawler is a scavenger of subterranean areas, feeding
primarily upon carrion. However, when such food becomes scarce
or when it is threatened, the carrion crawler will attack and kill living
creatures.
The crawler looks like a cross between a giant green cutworm
and a cephalopod. Like so many other hybrid monsters, the carrion
crawler may well be the result of genetic experimentation by a mad,
evil wizard.

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 The monsters head is covered with a tough hide, but the body is
not well protected. The monster is accompanied by a rank, fetid
odour which often gives warning of its approach.
A drunken adventurer claimed one of these somehow
immobilised the party he was travelling with and slowly
devoured them... Grizzly! –Volo
Dryad
Dryads are beautiful, intelligent tree sprites. They are as elusive as
they are alluring, however, and dryads are rarely seen unless taken
by surprise – or when they wish to be spotted.
The dryad’s exquisite features, delicate and finely chiselled, are
much like an elf maidens. Dryads have high cheek bones and
amber, violet, or dark green eyes.
Dryads often appear clothed in a loose, simple garment. The
clothing they wear is the colour of the oak grove in the season they
appear. They speak their own tongue, as well as the languages of
elves, pixies, and sprites. Dryads can also speak with plants.

Ettercap
Ettercaps are ugly bipedal creatures that get along very well with
all types of giant spiders. These creatures of low intelligence are
exceedingly cruel, cunning, and are skilled in setting traps – very
deadly traps – much like the spiders that often live around them.
Ettercaps stand around six feet tall, even with their stooping gait
and hunched shoulders. The creatures have a short, spindly legs,
long arms that reach nearly to their ankles, and large pot-bellies.
The hands of ettercaps have a thumb and three long fingers that
end in razor sharp claws. Their bodies are covered by tufts of thick,
wiry, black hair, and their skin is dark and thick. Ettercap’s heads
are almost equine in shape, but they have large reptilian eyes,
usually blood-red in colour, and large fangs, one protruding
downward from each side of the mouth. The mouth itself is large
and lined with very sharp teeth.

Ghast
These creatures are so like ghouls as to be completely
indistinguishable from them, and they are usually found only with a
pack of ghouls. When a pack of ghouls and ghasts attacks it will
quickly become evident that ghasts are present, for they exude a
carrion stench.

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Ghoul
Ghouls are undead creatures, once human, who now feed on the
flesh of corpses. Although the change from human to ghoul has
deranged and destroyed their minds, ghouls have a terrible cunning
which enables them to hunt their prey most effectively.
Ghouls are vaguely recognisable as once having been human, but
have become horribly disfigured by their change to ghouls. The
tongue becomes long and tough for licking marrow from cracked
bones, the teeth become sharp and elongated, and the nails grow
strong and sharp like claws.

Giant spiders
Spiders are aggressive predators, dwelling both above and below
ground. Most are poisonous and bite prey before devouring them,
because unconscious victims are easier to carry to a lair.
Spiders have eight legs and eight eyes. They usually fit into two
categories: web-spinners, which have bulbous abdomens and sleek
legs; and hunting spiders, which have smaller bodies, larger heads
and fangs, and hairy bodies and legs.
Most giant spiders are simply much bigger versions of the web-
spinning large spiders. Their poison causes immediate death if the
victim fails the saving throw.
An Amnian traveller once shared with me a frightening tale of a
spider the size of a horse with swords for arms and a plated hide!
...surely there are varieties even fiercer still! –Volo

Gibberling
They come screaming, jabbering, and howling out of the night.
Dozens, maybe hundreds, of hunchbacked, naked humanoids
swarming forward. They have no apparent thought of safety,
subtlety, or strategy, leaving others with little hope of stopping their
mass assault. Then, having come and killed, the gibberlings move
on, seemingly randomly, back into the night.
The first impression of gibberlings is of a writhing mass of fur and
flesh in the distant moonlit darkness. The pandemonium is actually
a mass of pale, hunchbacked humanoids, with pointed canine ears,
black manes surrounding their hideous, grinning faces. Their eyes
are black, and shine with a maniacal gleam.

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Gnoll
Gnolls are large, evil, hyena-like humanoids that roam about in
loosely organised bands.
While the body of a gnoll is shaped like that of a large human, the
details are those of a hyena. They stand erect on two legs and
have hands that can manipulate as well as those of any human.
They have greenish gray skin, darker near the muzzle, with a short
reddish gray to dull yellow mane.

Hobgoblin
Hobgoblins are a fierce humanoid race that wage a perpetual war
with the other humanoid races. They are intelligent, organised, and
aggressive.
The typical hobgoblin is a burly humanoid standing at least 6 feet
tall. Their hairy hides range from dark reddish-brown to dark gray.
Their faces show dark red or red-orange skin. Large males have
blue or red noses. Hobgoblin eyes are either yellowish or dark
brown while their teeth are yellow. Their garments tend to be
brightly coloured, often bold, blood red. Any leather is always tinted
black. Hobgoblin weaponry is kept polished and repaired.

Kobold
Kobolds are a cowardly, sadistic race of short humanoids that
vigorously contest the human and humanoid races for living space
and food. They especially dislike gnomes and attack them on sight.
Barely clearing 3 feet in height, kobolds have scaly hides that
range from dark, rusty brown to a rusty black. They smell of damp
dogs and stagnant water. Their eyes glow like a bright red spark
and they have two small horns ranging from tan to white. Because
of the kobolds’ fondness for wearing raggedy garb of red and
orange, their non-prehensile rat-like tails, and their language (which
sounds like small dogs yapping), these fell creatures are often not
taken seriously. This is often a fatal mistake, for what they lack in
size and strength they make up in ferocity and tenacity.
Some have also noted small humanoids called ‘tasloi’ and ‘Xvarts.’
While all are nearly harmless met singly, they always attack in
packs. This is a good reason to travel accompanied, dear reader, if
not just for the company. –Volo
Ogre
Ogres are big, ugly, greedy humanoids that live by ambushes, raids,
and theft. Ill-tempered and nasty, these monsters are often found
serving as mercenaries in the ranks of orc tribes, evil clerics, or gnolls.

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 They mingle freely with giants and trolls. Adult ogres stand 9 to
10 feet tall and weigh 300 to 350 pounds. Their skin colours range
from a dead yellow to a dull black-brown, and (rarely) a sickly violet.
Their warty bumps are often of a different colour – or at least darker
than their hides. Their eyes are purple with white pupils. Teeth
and talons are orange or black. Ogres have long, greasy hair of
blackish-blue to dull dark green. Their odour is repellent,
reminiscent of curdled milk. Dressing in poorly cured furs and
animal hides, they care for their weapons and armour only
reasonably well. It is common for ogres to speak orcish, troll, stone
giant, and gnoll, as well as their own guttural language. A typical
ogre’s life span is 90 years.
Some more advanced ogres can even cast spells! –Volo
A rather melodramatic description of (admittedly formidable)
Ogre-Magi, which are no longer as rare as the casual
traveller might wish. –Elminster
Ogrillon
The ogrillon is a species of half-ogre, being the fruit of an (unnatural)
union between ogres and orcs. The ogrillon displays the general
tendencies of its larger cousin with some exceptions. It is even more
brutish and violent, and it normally learns to speak only ogrish and a
handful of words of common.
The ogrillon is the about the size of an orc, and closely resembles
one. One in ten is born with features and colorations very similar to
those of ogres: purple eyes with white pupils, black teeth, yellowish
skin with dull, dark green hair. The skin of an ogrillon of either type is
covered with small horn plates, giving it a superior armour class and
enabling it to fight without weapons. An ogrillon disdains armour and
most other material items, retaining only a handful of gold pieces as a
treasured belonging. It is uncertain why they would keep gold, except
perhaps for luck. Perhaps we’ll never know.

Sirine
Sirines are beautiful, human-like females, at home in any aquatic
environment. They have human skin tones ranging to a light yellow-
green, and their hair can be almost any colour, though silver and
dark green are the most common. Sirines have beautiful figures and
wear scanty clothing at best.
Most sirines are antisocial, so they try to drive intruders away, with
evil sirines taking stronger measures. Other sirines are hungry for
social interaction, and try to lure male humans or humanoids to join
them for a time.

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 Sirines speak their own language and the language of the nearest
intelligent races. They can breathe water and air, and they have
infravision to a range of 120 feet.

Skeleton
All skeletons are magically animated undead monsters, created as
guardians or warriors by powerful evil wizards and priests.
Skeletons appear to have no ligaments or musculature which
would allow movement. Instead, the bones are “magically joined“
together during the casting of an Animate Dead spell. Skeletons
have no eyes or internal organs.

Be wary of all undead beasts. Aside from the ghouls, ghasts,

and skeletons listed here, there are animated corpses, warrior
skeletons, and even revived wolves known as dread wolves.
Some of the most powerful undead, such as the vampiric
wolves, are not even affected by normal weaponry and
require magics in order to kill! -Elminster

Wild dog
Smaller than wolves, the appearance of the wild dog varies from
place to place. Most appear very wolf-like, while others combine the
looks of wolf and jackal.

Wolf
The wolf is a very active, cunning carnivore, capable of surviving
in nearly every climate. Shrouded in mystery and suspicion, they
are viewed as vicious killers that slaughter men and animals alike
for the lack of better things to do.
Northern wolves exhibit colours from pure white to black.
Southern wolves are reddish and brown in colour. Although fur
colorations vary with climate, all wolves have various features in
common. They are characterised by powerful jaws; wide strong
teeth; bushy tails; tall, strong ears; and round pupils. Their eyes, a
gold or amber colour, seem to have an almost empathic ability.

Worg
Worgs are an offshoot of wolf stock that have attained a degree of
intelligence and tendency toward evil. Worgs have a primitive
language and often serve as mounts of goblins.

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Time in The Realms

D
aytime is described by the use of a 24-hour clock, as the day
of the world of Toril is 24 hours long. For simplicity the AM
(for time before noon) and PM (for time after noon)
conventions are used herein.
The following calendar is common enough to apply to all
regions within the Realms (especially the Sword Coast). The year
consists of 360 days: 12 months of exactly 30 days each. Three
ten-day weeks are in each month, but herein we refer to days as
they relate to the month (that is, one through 30, of a specific
month, rather than specific days of the week). The months are
summarised in the table below. Each month’s name is followed by
a colloquial description of that month, plus the roughly
corresponding month of the Gregorian calendar in parentheses.

Name Colloquial Description Gregorian Month

Hammer Deepwinter January
Alturiak The Claw of Winter or the Claws February
of the Cold
Ches Of the Sunsets March
Tarsakh Of the Storms April
Mirtul The Melting May
Kythorn The Time of Flowers June
Flamerule Summertide July
Eleasias Highsun August
Eleint The Fading September
Marpenoth Leafall October
Uktar The Rotting November
Nightal The Drawing Down December

Years are referred to by numbers, using the system known as

Dalereckoning (DR): Dalereckoning is taken from the year that
humans were first permitted by the Elven Court to settle in the more
open regions of the forests.

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The Roll of Years
The wide variety of competing and often conflicting calendars
causes no end of pain to the historian and the sage. Most use the
Roll of Years, a system by which each year has its own personal
name. Names for the years are known collectively as the Roll of
Years, as they are drawn from the predictions written down under
that title by the famous Lost Sage, Augathra the Mad, with a few
additions by the great seer Alaundo. The Roll is a long one; some
more important years include the Year of the Worm (1356 DR), the
Year of Shadows (1358 DR, the year of the Time of Troubles), the
Year of the Turret (1360 DR), and 1373 DR (the current year). The
Time of Troubles, in which the gods of the Forgotten Realms
assumed mortal form and walked the Realms, started when the
gods Bane and Myrkul stole the Tablets of Fate from Lord Ao, the
overpower god of the Realms. In retribution for this act Ao banished
all of the gods from their outer-planar domains (except for Helm
who guards the Outer Planes). The Gods were forced to assume
the forms of mortal Avatars until the end of the Time of Troubles,
when the tablets were returned to their rightful owner. During the
crisis, Mykstra’s (god of magic) and Myrkul’s (god of the dead)
avatars were killed, Bane (god of evil and tyranny) was destroyed
fighting Torm, and the human Cyric killed Bhaal (god of murder and
assassins) in an epic struggle while competing for Bane’s portfolio.
After the dust settled, Cyric (death, evil, and madness) ascended to
new godhood.

Rumour has it at least one of the (now-deceased) gods had

some warning of his impending death and took steps towards
preventing it…but failed, at least partially. –Elminster

TimeKeeping in Baldur’s Gate

A game round in Baldur’s Gate is six seconds long in real time.
The round in the AD&D game is sixty seconds, hence time in
Baldur’s Gate is compressed about ten-fold when compared to the
standard AD&D rule set.
A turn is ten rounds, that is, sixty seconds. This term is used in
some of the spell descriptions on pages 98-124.
A game day (representing 24 hours in the game, dawn to dusk
to dawn again) is just over 2 hours long in real time, again about a
ten-fold reduction in time in the game.
Each time the party rests eight hours passes (the equivalent of
about 45 minutes of running game time).

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PART II: RULES
AD&D® Rules – An Introduction

W
ell friends, the world If thou want to know more about how to play
that you are Baldur’s Gate, thou had best read the “Game
adventuring in is a Guide.” There thou wilt learn how the rules are
strange one. There are
many things to learn,
applied, whereas here we shall explore the
particularly if you haven’t foundations. If Volo kept more to his facts and less
been here before, and to his ale, that is. –Elminster
perhaps the best way is to
start exploring some of the
scrolls that various sages
have put together over the
ages, which in the interests
of saving my own time I
have compiled and loosely
edited for your reading
pleasure, below. However,
research and editing can
be dry work indeed, so dry
that I feel a need to quench
my thirst…I’ll be back in a
short while after I pay a
visit to the Helm and Cloak
for a drop of Saerloonian
glowfire. In the meantime,
read, and enjoy!
At least I know how to enjoy the finer
things in life, my wizardly friend! -Volo

About the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons® Game

The Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game is a role playing
system that allows players to explore worlds of fantasy and high
adventure – one of the myriad of AD&D worlds is the Forgotten
Realms, the world in which Baldur’s Gate takes place. The world
you are entering is a complex one, but it is said that artificial
assistants called… computers… in other worlds have been invoked
at times to simplify things. Defining such a vast world in even a
series of intricate tomes would be difficult, but for the sake of
brevity we have summarised things in the span of a few pages.
This is by no means easy, but we outline some of the major
features of the rules and how they may have been interpreted by
the computer scribes, below.

70 ™
 You don’t have to know much about the AD&D game rules to play
Baldur’s Gate (the computer takes care of that for you), but it is
helpful. Accordingly, most of the AD&D rules have been
summarised, and in places explained how they may have been
revised slightly to apply to the game of Baldur’s Gate.

How Baldur’s Gate uses the AD&D rules: discussion of

the real time modification to the turn-based AD&D rules
Baldur’s Gate uses the same weighting system for spells and
weapons as in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game. In
addition, we have applied the same concept of the initiative round
to the individual monster and character rather than to the party. That
is, instead of a group based turn, when first one side then the other
performs all actions, everyone is always in real time mode, but on a
personal initiative round.
The personal initiative round is six seconds long, and this
represents a ten to one reduction in the time of the round in the
AD&D rules (which is 60 seconds long). This is consistent with
movement rates (we have balanced these such that a character
moving at sixty feet per round, which is the average humanoid
movement rate in the AD&D rules, can travel the screen in
approximately one round), and with the reduction in global game
time.
Most importantly, you can pause (or unpause) the action at any
time. This is achieved by hitting the space bar or by L-clicking on
the clock. When you are paused you can assign any action to any
character, and then resume the game by unpausing. This pause
feature allows fans of turn-based combat to effectively play the
game that way. One important exception: we do not allow pausing
of the game to occur when you look into your inventory (this is to
simulate the effects of changing armour on the fly) – so be careful to
have everything equipped that you need!
Note: There are also options to have the game pause
automatically when certain events occur in order that you don’t
miss them. These are also found under “Autopause” in the
Gameplay section of the option screen.

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Character Actions

T
he basic actions you can perform in the Realms are simple.
You can wander the landscape, speak with the denizens, and
occasionally swing a sword or two. The basic actions you
can perform are described below, along with a few effects that may
modify these basic actions.

Movement
There is one constant movement rate in Baldur’s Gate – this is
approximately equivalent to 60’ in AD&D game terms. Your
characters can move more quickly if you cast a Haste spell on
them. You can group select characters and easily move them into
various formations (this is discussed in more detail in the other
manual under the interface descriptions. See pages 11-18 in the
Game Guide)

Dialogue
Killing everything you meet eventually leads to problems. First,
you’ll never finish the quests in the game if you kill everything – no
one will be left to talk to in order to find out what you need to do.
Second, at some point your reputation will fall to the level that you
will be attacked on sight by every guard in the game. You won’t
survive this. Sometimes the best thing to do is talk, whether it’s
casual conversation, hardball negotiation, jovial rumour-swapping,
or intimidating threats. Not everything you meet, human or
otherwise, is out to kill your character. Help often appears in the
most surprising forms. Thus it often pays to take the time to talk to
people (or creatures...).

Fighting
There are times when you don’t want to or can’t run away;
(Running all the time is not that heroic), and there are times when
you know talking is not a good idea. Sooner or later, your
character(s) will have to fight. The real trick is knowing when to fight
and when to talk or run.

Effects of Fatigue
Your characters have to rest every so often, both to memorise
spells as well as to gain back their strength. If your characters start
complaining that they are tired, it would be prudent to stop and
make camp for the night. Go to all characters’ priest or mage spell

72 ™
pages, and after configuring any spells that you want to memorise,
click on the “rest” icon. You will rest for eight hours, unless your
sleep is interrupted, and awaken refreshed. If your party was
injured, party members will gain a few hit points every time they
rest. A character can continue to operate at peak efficiency for 24
hours game time (2 hours real time). After this time, the characters
will start to complain of fatigue, and for every 4 hours beyond this
24 hour mark the player will receive a -1 luck penalty (-1 to all of
their rolls). As soon as the characters rest, all of their penalties will
be removed.
Note: Characters resting in rented rooms while visiting an Inn
will heal more or less based on the quality of the room.

Effects of Encumbrance
Each character has a certain number of slots free, along with a
number of slots associated with a paper doll representation of the
character. One item may be placed in each slot. In addition, how
much weight a character may carry is based on the Strength of that
particular character. The weight allowances for your characters are
listed in the tables at the end of this manual (see pg 134).

Effects of Intoxication
All the better inns serve a variety of intoxicants, and drinking to
excess will, of course, impair your characters ability to function in
combat. Sufficient drink bolsters the morale, but the tradeoff in
effectiveness hardly makes it worth it. The number of drinks you can
have before suffering penalties is closely related to your constitution,
though recovery is uniform. A character with a Constitution of 3 will
find himself quite tipsy after one drink, though regardless of the
amount, a good night’s sleep will negate all effects.

Indeed, I have seen fellows with heroic constitutions drink

seemingly endless amounts and suffer no visible effects. –Volo

Perhaps “heroic” is the wrong choice of word in this instance.

–Elminster
Effects of Poison
Poison is an all-too-frequent hazard faced by characters. Bites,
stings, deadly potions, drugged wines, and bad food all await
characters at the hands of malevolent wizards, evil assassins,
hideous monsters, and incompetent innkeepers. Fortunately, there

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73
are many ways a character can be treated for poison. Several spells
exist that either slow the onset time, enabling the character the
chance to get further treatment, or negate the poison entirely. Note
that Cure spells do not negate the progress of a poison.

Effects of Reputation and Alignment

Reputation
The party has a reputation, which influences the manner in which
Non-Player Characters (NPC's) associate with the party. The player
begins with a reputation based on the alignment of the lead
character. The reputation chart consists of 20 levels. Each level
changes how NPC's interact with the party. See the table on page
143 for actions that change reputation, either positively, or
negatively, based on the current reputation of the party. Be warned,
evil-doing parties are likely to become the targets of bounty hunters
and guards.

Alignment
Alignment has less effect on actual game play than reputation
does. A characters starting alignment determines a starting
reputation. Alignment is the backbone of who your character is and
what he or she represents, and reputation is the practical
application of those beliefs. If your reputation does not match with
your alignment, your character may suffer consequences.
Characters who join your party may or may not agree with the
current reputation of the party based on their alignment or may
decide they are unhappy with the party reputation while you are
playing.

Alignment Starting Reputation

Lawful Good 12

Neutral Good 11

Chaotic Good 11

Lawful Neutral 10

Neutral 10

Chaotic Neutral 10

Lawful Evil 9

Neutral Evil 9

Chaotic Evil 8

74 ™
 A player who starts with a paladin or a ranger has to watch his
reputation very carefully. If at any time the party's reputation falls
below 6, the character will lose his status as a paladin; or in the
case of a ranger, the loss of abilities will occur at a reputation of 4.
In either case, if the reputation of the party falls below the
acceptable level, that character will become a fighter. A paladin or
ranger who loses that status cannot regain it.

Encounter Adjustments
Whenever the party encounters a NPC, a reaction roll will be
made. This will be a simulated roll of two 10-sided dice. Modifiers
will be applied according to the party leader’s Charisma, and the
reputation of the party. The specific NPC may also have a modifier
to the encounter adjustment. Encounter adjustments affect how
people that you are talking to perceive you. It will affect whether
they are willing to give you much information, and it will also
improve prices of items in stores, if you purchase them when you
have a good encounter adjustment. See the reaction adjustment
table on pg 144.

Note to the unwary:

Some spells improve the charisma of your party relative to
others - for example the Charm spells. However, these spells
so alter the perception of the recipient that they may forget
dealings they have had with you. they will also be hostile
towards you when the spell wears off, so be careful whom
you target. You could potentially close off quests you could
have completed otherwise.

Reputation Effects on Party Members

Each party member has five different states determined by their
alignment. These states are happy, neutral, unhappy, angry, and
breaking point. Each of these states correspond to the four different
verbal dialogue cues that a character has (that is, a character won't
complain if he or she is happy, but if the character is in any other
state, complaints will be heard). A table shows how the party's
reputation will alter their state (based on the characters alignment)
on pg 145.
A happy life is a good life! –Volo

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Combat in Baldur’s Gate

A
s discussed above, Baldur’s Gate follows the AD&D rule
system closely. The main difference lies in the real-time
adaptations to the personal initiative rounds. The computer
takes care of most of the underlying rules, to allow you to become
more immersed in the story and the world of the game.

More Than just Hack and Slash

As important as fighting is to the AD&D game, it isn’t the be-all
and end-all of play. It’s just one way for characters to deal with
situations. If characters could do nothing but fight, the game would
quickly get boring – every encounter would be the same. Because
there is more to the game than fighting, we’ll cover much more
than simple hack-and-slash combat here. In addition to explaining
the basic mechanics of hitting and missing, there are rules for
turning undead, special ways to attack and defend, poison, heroic
feats, and more. Remember that we follow a modified round
based system – as described below. Everyone (characters, NPC’s,
monsters) is on their own personal initiative rounds. Any time you
want you can pause the game (click on the clock or hit the space
bar) and assign commands – then restart the game by unpausing,
in the same way.

Personal Initiative Round, Speed factors,

and Casting times
In Baldur’s Gate, to allow for the realtime based combat and
movement, each character and monster is on an independent
personal initiative round, which is six seconds long. Within the
personal initiative round, all of the rules of the AD&D game are
used, including speed factors for weapons and casting time for
spells. For higher level characters who can attack more than once
per round with a given weapon, the speed factor of the weapon
determines when exactly in the six second round the attacks will
occur.
Speed factors are numbers between 1 and 10 (indicating 1/10
of a round and 10/10ths of a round respectively for a character that
can attack once per round with a weapon).
Casting times for priests and wizards are exactly analogous to
speed factors of weapons – the casting times are between 1 and
10, and represent how quickly a mage or priest can release a spell
(the lower the number, the faster the cast, just as for speed factors).

76 ™
 Initiative is determined by a combination of ability, situation, and
chance. In Baldur’s Gate initiative is used as a random variation on
how quickly characters can initiate their attacks or spells. It adjusts
the speed factor of a spell or weapon slightly.
Armour Class (AC) is the protective rating of a type of armour.
Armour provides protection by reducing the chance that a character
is attacked successfully (and suffers damage). Armour does not
absorb damage, it prevents it. A fighter in full plate mail may be a
slow-moving target, but penetrating his armour to cause any
damage is no small task. Armour Class is measured on a scale
from 10, the worst (no armour), to less than zero. The lower the
number, the better (armour classes less than -10 occur only with
very powerful magical armours). Shields and helmets can also
improve the AC of a character.
Abilities and situations can also affect a characters Armour Class. High
Dexterity gives a bonus to Armour Class, for example.
THACO is an acronym for ”To Hit Armour Class 0.” This is the
number a character, NPC, or monster needs to attack an Armour
Class 0 target successfully. THACO depends on a characters class
and level. The THACO number can be used to calculate the number
needed to hit any Armour Class.
At the heart of the combat system is the Attack Roll, the die roll
that determines whether an attack succeeds or fails. The number a
player needs in order to make a successful attack roll is also called
the “to hit” number, which is determined by the computer by taking
a characters THACO and adjusting according to the Armour Class of
the target. Attack rolls are used for attacks with swords, bows,
rocks, and other weapons, as well as blows from fists, and other
hand-to-hand attacks. In Baldur’s Gate the “to hit” roll is done
behind the scenes for you – if your character is successful, he hits –
if not, he swings and misses.

The Attack Roll

When an attack is made, the Armour Class of the opponent being
attacked is subtracted from the THAC0 of the attacker. The resulting
number is the what the attacker must ‘roll’ in order to hit the opponent.
This “roll of the die” is done with a d20, or twenty sided die, resulting
in a number between 1 and 20. If the attacker rolls the number
necessary or higher, then the attack is successful, and damage is
done. If the attack is unsuccessful, then the attacker missed
completely or was unable to penetrate the opponent’s armour.

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 For example, a 3rd-level fighter fighter has a THAC0 of 18. He is
attacking a hobgoblin with an AC of 5. The AC of the hobgoblin is
subtracted from the THAC0, giving a “to hit” number of 13. If the
fighter rolls a 13 or higher on the twenty-sided die, he hits
successfully and does damage.
In Melee combat, not every swing is intended to hit. A character in
Baldur’s Gate may make a “cosmetic”swing during the 6-second
round aside from his actual attempt to deliver damage. This swing
fills out an otherwise empty round, and adds to the frenetic nature
of combat.

Critical Hits and Misses

If a character rolls a ‘natural’ 20 to hit (that is, the attack roll before
modifiers are applied is a 20) then a critical hit occurs and damage
for that attack will be doubled. A roll of ‘natural’ 1 is considered a
critical miss and imposes a time penalty on the character to
recover. Regardless of Armour Class, a ‘natural’ 20 always hits, a
‘natural’ 1 always misses.

Improving the Odds in Combat

In combat, many factors can modify the number a character
needs for a successful hit. These variables are reflected in modifiers
to the to-hit number or to the attack roll.
Strength Modifiers: A characters Strength can modify the die roll,
altering both the chance to hit and the damage caused. This modifier
is always applied to melees and attacks with hurled missile
weapons (a dagger or an axe).
Magical items: The magical properties of a weapon can also
modify combat. Items that impart a bonus to the attack roll or
Armour Class are identified by a plus sign. For example, a sword +1
improves a characters chance to hit by one and inflicts +1 damage if
the attack is successful. A suit of chain mail +1 improves the
Armour Class of the character by one beyond normal, “non-magical”
chain mail (which means you subtract one from the characters AC,
changing an AC of 5 to an AC of 4, for example). Cursed items have
a negative modifier (a penalty), resulting in a subtraction from the
attack roll or an addition to Armour Class. There is no limit to the
number of modifiers that can be applied to a single die roll. Nor is
there a limit to the positive or negative number (the total of all
modifiers) that can be applied to a die roll.

78 ™
Dexterity Modifiers for Missile Weapons
Dexterity affects the characters ability to attack with a missile
weapon. Like Strength modifiers, higher Dexterity will increase the
chances to hit, lower Dexterity will lessen the chances of attacking
effectively. Dexterity only affects the chances to hit and does not
affect the amount of damage inflicted by a missile weapon.

Missile weapons in combat – Rate of fire

Bows, crossbows, and many other missile weapons have
different rates of fire (ROF) – the number of missiles they can shoot
in a single round. Arrows can be notched and let loose at a rate of
up to two shots per round. Some weapons (such as heavy
crossbows) take a long time to load and can be fired only once
every round. Darts can be hurled at a rate of several per round.
Whatever the ROF, multiple missile shots are handled the same way
as other multiple attacks for the purposes of determining initiative.
The ROF of each missile weapon is listed in the Weapons Tables on
page pg 141.

Casting Spells
Both wizards and priests use the same rules for casting spells.
To cast a spell, the character must first have the spell memorised. If
it is not memorised, the spell cannot be cast. The caster must be
able to speak (not under the effects of a Silence spell or gagged)
and have both arms free (not paralysed, for example). If the spell is
targeted on a person, place, or thing, the caster must be able to see
the target. It is not enough to cast a Fireball 150 feet ahead into the
darkness; the caster must be able to see the point of explosion and
the intervening distance. Once the casting has begun, the character
must stand still. (If you choose not to have a spell caster cast a
spell after you have selected the spell, but before you have selected
a target, you can R-click to cancel the spell and it will not be lost
from memory.)

Spell Disruption
If the spellcaster is struck by a weapon or fails to make a saving
throw before the spell is cast, the caster’s concentration is
disrupted. The spell is lost in a fizzle of useless energy and is wiped
clean from the memory of the caster until it can be rememorised.
Spellcasters are well advised not to stand at the front of any battle,
at least if they want to be able to cast any spells!

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Saving Throws
Saving Throws are measures of a characters resistance to special
types of attacks – poisons, magic, and attacks that affect the whole
body or mind of the character. The ability to make successful saving
throws improves as the character increases in level. If a saving throw is
made this may reduce damage or prevent the effects of a spell or attack
entirely. Some spells (e.g. the Protection spells) greatly improve saving
throws against different type of attacks.
Save vs. Paralysation, Poison, and Death Magic: This is used
whenever a character is affected by a paralysing attack (regardless of
source), poison (of any strength), or certain spells and magical items that
otherwise kill the character outright (as listed in their descriptions).
Save vs. Rod, Staff, or Wand: As its name implies, this is used
whenever a character is affected by the powers of a rod, staff, or wand,
provided another save of higher priority isn’t called for.
Save vs. Petrification or Polymorph: This is used any time a
character is turned to stone (petrified) or polymorphed by a monster,
spell, or magical item (other than a wand).
Save vs. Breath Weapon: A character uses this save when facing
monsters with breath weapons, particularly the powerful blast of a
dragon.
Save vs. Spell: This is used whenever a character attempts to resist
the effects of a magical attack, either by a spellcaster or from a magical
item, provided no other type of saving throw is specified. This save can
also be used to resist an attack that defies any other classification.

Modifying Saving Throws

Saving throws can be modified by magical items, specific rules,
and special situations. These modifiers can increase or decrease
the chance of a successful saving throw.
• Magical items like cloaks and rings of protection give
bonuses to a characters saving throw.
• Magical armour allows a saving throw bonus only when the
save is made necessary by something physical, whether
normal or magical.
• Specific spells and magical items have effects, both good
and ill, on a characters saving throws. Some spells force the
victim to save with a penalty, which makes even the most
innocuous spell quite dangerous. (Specific information can be
found in the spell descriptions below.)

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Morale
Each creature has a base morale level that affects whether it fights
or runs during a battle. The only character that is unaffected by
morale is the first character you create – other characters joining your
party have morale dialogue and scripts. Every creature is scripted to
react somewhat differently when morale breaks – and often they will
break at different levels of morale, or choose different types of attack
depending on what the current morale level is (melee if morale is
high, ranged attacks if morale is lower, for example). Each creature
has a recovery time which indicates how long it takes for that
creatures morale to return to its base level – if someone’s morale fails,
it will slowly creep back to the baseline. If someone in your party
fails a morale check their selection circle will turn yellow (from green).
Morale is positively influenced by having a leader (the topmost
character in the portraits) with high Charisma, by the environment
that the creature is located in (e.g. kobolds and drow like being
underground more than they do wide open spaces outside), by
some spells (e.g. Remove Fear), and by the type of enemies that
are visible (easy enemies will raise morale). Morale is negatively
influenced by factors such as being attacked by powerful magic, by
seeing someone in the party killed or knocked unconscious, by
losing a lot of hit points, or by spotting a difficult foe.

Combat Effects and Recovery

Damage, wounds, and death are what can happen to a character
when an opponent attacks him successfully. Damage can also occur
as a result of poison, fire, falling, acid, and by trying anything even
remotely dangerous in the real world. Damage from most attacks is
measured in hit points (hp). Each character has a current hit point
total and a maximum hit point total. Each time a character is hit, he
suffers points of damage. These points are subtracted from the
characters current hit point total. When this reaches 0, the character
is dead. If one of your characters suffers massive damage, he or she
will be forever dead, beyond hope of resurrection.

Healing and Hit Points

Once a character is wounded, the player should naturally want to
get him healed. Characters can heal either by natural or magical
means. Natural healing is slow, but it’s available to all characters,
regardless of class. Magical healing may or may not be available,
depending on the presence (or absence) of spellcasters or magical
devices. The only limit to the amount of damage a character can
recover through healing is the maximum hit points the character
has. (Note: some necromantic spells can improve maximum hit
points, but only for a limited period of time.)

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Natural Healing
Characters heal naturally at a rate of several hit points per period
(eight hours) of rest. Rest is defined as low activity. If a character
rests in a comfortable room in an inn, he or she will recover
progressively more hit points the better the room – but of course
this costs more. Camping in the wilds will allow for memorisation of
spells, but will not allow many hit points to be regained. Resting is
only possible when there are no enemies within visible range of
your party – if there are, you must move away, or make them your
friends (Charm, dialogue, etc.) before you can rest. Some creatures
may attack your party while resting; if this happens, you will not
heal or memorise spells.
A good reason to rest at an Inn! –Volo
Magical Healing
Healing spells, potions, and magical devices can speed the
process of healing considerably. The specifics of such magical
healing methods are described in the spell descriptions below. By
using these methods, wounds close instantly and vigour is
restored. The effects are immediate.
Magical healing is particularly useful in the midst of combat or in
preparation for a dangerous encounter. Remember, however that
the characters’ opponents are just as likely to have access to
magical healing as the characters – an evil high priest is likely to
carry healing spells to bestow on his own followers and guards.
Healing occurs to the maximum hit point total for a given character
only, never beyond this.
Raising the Dead
Curative and healing spells have no effect on a dead character –
he can only be returned to life with a Raise Dead or Resurrection
spell (or a device that accomplishes one of these effects). A newly
raised character will be quite weak ( one hit point) and will require
additional healing to be effective in combat.
Paralysis
A character or creature affected by paralysis becomes totally
immobile for the duration of the spells effect. The victim can
breathe, think, see, and hear, but he is unable to speak or move in
any manner.
Poison
A character or creature that is attacked with a poisoned weapon
or by a venomous creature must make a saving throw vs poison.
Depending on the type of poison, this saving throw will either negate
the effects of the poison or lessen them. Poisons are usually deadly
within hours, so finding quick treatment is recommended.

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Experience and Gaining Levels

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very time a character goes on an adventure he learns
something. He may learn a little more about his physical limits,
encounter a creature he has never seen before, try a spell as
yet unused, or discover a new peculiarity of nature. A character also
improves by increasing his power – as levels are gained, new hit
points, more spells, or a better chance to hit with an attack can be
achieved. These gains are made by earning experience points (XP).
An experience point is a concrete measure of a characters
improvement. It represents a host of abstract factors: increased
confidence, physical exercise, insight, and on-the-job training. When a
character earns enough experience points to advance to the next
experience level, these abstract factors translate into a measurable
improvement in the abilities of the character. Just what areas improve
and how quickly improvement occurs all depend on the characters
class.

Group Experience Awards – Quest Experience

Experience points are earned through the activities of the
characters, which generally relate to their adventuring goals. Thus
all characters on an adventure receive some experience points for
overcoming their enemies or obstacles. The experience gained for
slaying monsters and finishing quests is shared equally between
the characters in your party.

Experience Points for Multi- and Dual Classed

Characters in Baldur’s Gate
Multiclassed characters (non humans) have multiple classes that
are defined when they are created. They gain in levels in either two or
three classes for their entire careers, and can use the abilities of any of
their classes at any time. Experience points are evenly divided among
all of their classes, and they gain in levels according to the experience
point tables for each class.
Dual classed characters choose to focus on a second career at
some point. At this point they stop gaining levels in their original
class, and start gaining levels in a new class. They cannot, however,
use any of the abilities of their old class until they have gained at
least one more level in their new class than in their old class. After
this point, they can choose freely between the abilities of each class.

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 The available abilities for both multi- and dual classed characters
are shown by the available buttons at the bottom of the main
interface screen when that character is selected. There is one
proviso for both multi- and dual classed characters, however – if they
are wearing armour or using weapons that are not allowed by one
of their classes, their abilities in that class are disabled (dimmed) until
they stop wearing that armour or using that weapon.

Character Attributes

E
very person in the Realms has defining traits which set them
apart from all others. The most pronounced differences will
be in the areas of Race, Class, and Abilities.
Race
Race defines the characters species: human, elf, dwarf, gnome, half-elf, or
halfling. Race puts some limitations on the characters Class.
Human: Humans are the predominant race in Faerûn. Humans rule
most of the significant empires and kingdoms in the Forgotten Realms.
They are the most social and tolerant of races, excepting perhaps the
halflings. The only special ability that a human possesses is that they
may advance as any class, and advance to any level.
Dwarves: Dwarves are short stocky fellows, easily identifiable by their
size and shape. They have ruddy cheeks, dark eyes, and dark hair.
Dwarves tend to be dour and taciturn. Dwarves have a natural resistance
to magic and poison. They possess infravision, which allows them to
see in the dark. They gain a bonus to their Constitution, but incur a
penalty to their Charisma and Dexterity.
Elves: Elves tend to be shorter and slimmer than normal humans.
Their features are finely chiselled and delicate, and they speak in melodic
tones. Elves are looked upon as being frivolous and aloof. Elves have a
natural resistance to charm and sleep magics. They can see in the dark
with infravision, and they are very skilled in the use of the bow and long
sword. They have a bonus to their Dexterity, but incur a penalty to their
Constitution.
Gnomes: Kin to dwarves, gnomes are noticeably smaller than
their distant cousins. Gnomes, as they proudly maintain, are also
less rotund than dwarves. Most have dark tan or brown skin, white
hair, and rather large noses. Gnomes have natural resistance to
magic. They can see in the dark with infravision. They gain a bonus
to their Intelligence scores, but incur a penalty to their Wisdom.

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 Halflings: Halflings are short, generally plump people, very
much like small humans. Their faces are round and broad, and
often quite florid. Their hair is typically curly, and the tops of their
feet are covered with coarse hair. Halflings are highly resistant to
poisons and magic. They are naturally skilled with slings as
weapons, and have a limited ability to see in the dark. They receive
a bonus to their Dexterity, and incur a penalty to their Strength.
Half-Elves: Half-elves are a mix of human and elven blood. They
are handsome folk, with good features of each of their races. A half-
elf has the curiosity, inventiveness, and ambition of their human
ancestors, and the refined senses, love of nature, and artistic tastes
of their elven ancestors. Half-elves have a limited resistance to
Charm and Sleep spells. They can see in the dark with infravision.

Ability Scores
Ability scores are the six natural traits that represent the basic
definition of a character. See Table 1 on pages 134-137 for ability
bonuses and penalties.
Strength: Strength measures a characters muscle, endurance,
and stamina. It is the prime requisite of warriors.
Constitution: Constitution measures a characters fitness, health,
and physical resistance to hardship, injury, and disease.
Dexterity: Dexterity measures a characters hand-eye
coordination, agility, reflexes and balance. It is the prime requisite of
the thief.
Intelligence: Intelligence measures a characters memory,
reasoning, and learning ability. It is the prime requisite of the mage.
Wisdom: Wisdom measures a characters enlightenment,
judgement, and common sense. It is the prime requisite of priests.
Charisma: Charisma measures a characters persuasiveness,
personal magnetism, and ability to lead. This ability is important to
the druid, bard and paladin.

Class
A characters class is similar to a profession or career. It is what
your character has worked and trained at while growing up. The
character classes are divided into four groups according to general
occupations: warrior, wizard, priest, and rogue. Within each group are
several similar character classes.

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 Multiclassed characters are available to non-humans only. Human
characters can choose to become dual class later in the game.

Warriors
Fighter: The fighter is a champion, swordsman, soldier, and
brawler. He lives or dies by his knowledge of weapons and tactics.
Fighters can be found at the front of any battle, contesting toe-to-toe
with monsters and villains. A good fighter needs to be strong and
healthy if he hopes to survive.
Special Abilities: Advanced Weapon Specialisation
Restrictions: None
Ranger: The ranger is a hunter and a woodsman. He is skilled
with weapons and is knowledgeable in tracking and woodcraft. The
ranger often protects and guides lost travelers and honest peasant-
folk. A ranger needs to be strong and wise in the ways of nature to
live a full life.
Special Abilities: Weapon Specialisation, Racial Enemy, Stealth,
charm person/mammal
Restrictions: Human or Half-Elf only, must be of Good alignment
Paladin: A paladin is a warrior bold and pure, the exemplar of
everything good and true. Like the fighter, the paladin is a man of
combat. However, the paladin lives for the ideals of righteousness,
justice, honesty, piety, and chivalry. He strives to be a living
example of these virtues so that others might learn from him as well
as gain by his actions.
Special Abilities: Weapon Specialisation, Lay Hands, Turn
Undead, +2 all Saving Throws, Protection from Evil, Detect Evil
Restrictions: Human only, must maintain Lawful Good alignment

Priests
Cleric: The cleric is a generic priest (of any mythos) who tends to
the spiritual needs of a community. He is both protector and healer.
He is not purely defensive, however. When evil threatens, the cleric
is well suited to seek it out on its own ground and destroy it.
Special Abilities: Turn Undead, Spell Casting
Restrictions: Can not use bladed or piercing weapons.
Druid: The druid serves the cause of nature and neutrality; the
wilderness is his community. He uses his special powers to protect
it and to preserve balance in the world.

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 Special Abilities: Shape Change, Spell Casting
Restrictions: Human or Half-Elf only; leather armour and
bucklers only; can only wield clubs, darts, spears,
daggers, slings, and staffs.

Rogues
Thief: To accomplish his goals, for good or ill, the thief is a
skilled pilferer. Cunning, nimbleness, and stealth are his hallmarks.
Whether he turns his talent against innocent passers-by and wealthy
merchants or oppressors and monsters is a choice for the thief to
make. There are four thief abilities in Baldur’s Gate. At first level a
thief character will receive 30 points to allocate among his abilities.
Every level thereafter he will gain an extra 20 points. See Table 2 on
pg 138 to see how a thief’s abilities are modified according to race
and dexterity.
Special Abilities: Stealth (and Backstab), Pick Pockets, Pick
Locks, Find Traps, Remove Traps
Restrictions: cannot be of Lawful Good alignment;
cannot wear any armour other than leather or studded
leather cannot use any shield except for bucklers; can
only wield clubs, daggers, darts, crossbows, short
bows, slings, long swords, short swords, and quarterstaffs
Bard: The bard is also a rogue, but he is very different from the
thief. His strength is his pleasant and charming personality. With it
and his wits he makes his way through the world. A bard is a
talented musician and a walking storehouse of gossip, tall tales,
and lore. He learns a little bit about everything that crosses his path;
he is a jack-of-all- trades but master of none. While many bards are
scoundrels, their stories and songs are welcome almost
everywhere.
Special Abilities: Pick Pockets, Bard Songs, Spell Casting,
High Lore ability.
Restrictions: Human and Half-Elf only; must be of partially
Neutral alignment; cannot use a shield or armour heavier than
chainmail.

Wizards
Mage: The wizard strives to be a master of magical energies,
shaping them and casting them as spells. To do so, he studies
strange tongues and obscure facts and devotes much of his time to
magical research. A wizard must rely on knowledge and wit to
survive. Wizards are rarely seen adventuring without a retinue of
fighters and men-at-arms. Because there are different types (or

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schools) of magic, there are different types of wizards.
The generalist mage studies all types of magic and learns a wide
variety of spells. His broad range makes him well suited to the
demands of adventuring.
Special Abilities: Spell Casting
Restrictions: cannot wear armour, can only wield daggers,
staffs, darts, and slings
Specialist Wizards: Mages that specialise in a specific school of
magic are allowed to memorise an extra spell of each level (once
they are able to use spells of the appropriate level). They are
prohibited from learning spells in their opposition schools, and
cannot be combined in a multiclass character (though gnomish
characters can become Fighter/Illusionists). Human specialist
wizards can dual class if they wish.
See Table 4 on pg 139 for opposition schools.
Abjurer: A wizard who specialises in protective magics.
Conjurer: A wizard who specialises in creating creatures and
objects to assist him.
Diviner: A wizard who specialises in detection and divining
magics.
Enchanter: A wizard who specialises in manipulating the
minds of sentient beings.
Illusionist: A wizard who specialises in creating illusions to
confuse and mislead.
Invoker: A wizard who specialises in Invocation/Evocation
magic.
Necromancer: A wizard who specialises in magic dealing
with death.
Transmuter: A wizard who specialises in magic that alters
physical reality.

Multiclassed Characters (nonhuman)

Fighter/Thief: This character can use the abilities of a thief and
a fighter, though they cannot use their thieving skills while
wearing more than studded leather armour.
Fighter/Cleric:This character can use the abilities of a fighter and
a cleric, though weapons are restricted to only those allowed by
the cleric’s ethos.
Fighter/Druid: This character can use the abilities of a fighter
and druid, though weapons are restricted to only those allowed
by the druid’s ethos.

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 Fighter/Mage: This character can use the abilities of a fighter
and a mage, though they cannot cast mage spells while wearing
armour. Gnomes can choose this multi-class, but become
fighter/illusionists by default. Gnomes are the only race that can
combine a specialist mage class in a multi-class.
Fighter/Mage/Cleric: This character can use the abilities of a
fighter, mage, and cleric, though they cannot cast spells while
wearing any armour, and are restricted to weapons allowed by
the cleric’s ethos.
Fighter/Mage/Thief: This character can use the abilities of a
fighter, mage, and thief. They cannot use their thieving skills
while wearing studded leather, and cannot cast spells while
wearing any armour at all.
Mage/Cleric: This character can use the abilities of a mage and
a cleric, though weapons are restricted to only those allowed by
the clerics ethos, and mage spells cannot be cast while wearing
armour..
Mage/Thief: This character can use the abilities of a mage and
a thief, mage spells cannot be cast while wearing armour.
Cleric/Ranger: This character can use the abilities of a cleric and
ranger, though weapons are restricted only those allowed by the
cleric’s ethos.
Thief/Cleric: This character can use the abilities of a thief and
cleric, though weapons are restricted to only those
allowed by the cleric’s ethos.

Alignments
Alignment reflects a characters basic attitude toward society and
the forces of the universe. There are nine different alignments, and
each is described below:
Lawful Good: Characters of this alignment believe that an
orderly, strong society with a moral government can work to make
life better for the majority of the people. When people respect the
laws and try to help one another, society as a whole prospers.
Therefore, lawful good characters strive for those things that will bring
the greatest benefit to the most people and cause the least harm.
Lawful good characters keep their word.
Neutral Good: These characters believe that a balance of forces is
important, but that the concerns of law and chaos do not moderate
the need for good. Since the universe is vast and contains many
creatures striving for different goals, a determined pursuit of good will
not upset the balance; it may even maintain it. If fostering good
means supporting organised society, then that is what must be done.

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If good can only come about through the overthrow of existing social
order, so be it. Social structure itself has no innate value to them.
Chaotic Good: Chaotic good characters are strong individualists
marked by a streak of kindness and benevolence. They believe in all
the virtues of goodness and right, but they have little use for laws and
regulations. They have no use for people who “try to push folk around
and tell them what to do.” Their actions are guided by their own moral
compass which, although good, may not always be in perfect
agreement with the rest of society.
Lawful Neutral: Order and organisation are of paramount importance
to characters of this alignment. They believe in a strong, well-ordered
government, whether that government is a tyranny or benevolent
democracy. Laws must be created and obeyed. The benefits of
organisation and regimentation far outweigh any moral questions raised
by their actions. An oath is binding, regardless of consequences. A
completely impartial magistrate, or a soldier who never questions his
orders are good examples of lawful neutral behaviour.
(True) Neutral: True neutral characters believe in the ultimate
balance of forces, and they refuse to see actions as either good or evil.
True neutrals do their best to avoid siding with the forces of either
good or evil, law or chaos. It is their duty to see that all of these forces
remain in balanced contention. True neutral characters sometimes find
themselves forced into rather peculiar alliances. To a great extent, they
side with the underdog, sometimes even changing sides as the
previous loser becomes the winner. A true neutral druid might join the
local barony to put down a tribe of evil gnolls, only to drop out or
switch sides when the gnolls were brought to the brink of destruction.
Chaotic Neutral: Chaotic neutral characters believe that there is no
order to anything, including their own actions. With this as a guiding
principle, they tend to follow whatever whim strikes them at the
moment. Good and evil are irrelevant when making a decision.
Chaotic neutral characters are extremely difficult to deal with. Such
characters have been known to cheerfully and for no apparent
purpose gamble away everything they have on the roll of a single
die. They are extremely unreliable.
Lawful Evil: These characters believe structure and organisation
elevate those who deserve to rule. They prefer a clearly defined
hierarchy between master and servant. If someone is hurt or suffers
because of a law that benefits lawful evil characters, too bad. Lawful
evil characters obey laws out of fear of punishment or pride of power.
Because they honour any contract or oath they have made, lawful
evil characters are very careful about giving their word. Once given,
they break their word only if they can find a way to do it legally,
within the laws of the society.

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 Neutral Evil: Neutral evil characters are primarily concerned with
themselves and their own advancement. Their only interest is in
getting ahead. If there is a quick and easy way to gain a profit,
whether it be legal, questionable, or obviously illegal, they take
advantage of it. Although neutral evil characters do not have the
every-man-for-himself attitude of chaotic evil characters, they have no
qualms about betraying their friends and companions for personal
gain. They typically base their allegiance on power and money,
which makes them quite receptive to bribes.
Chaotic Evil: Chaotic evil characters are motivated by the desire
for personal gain and pleasure. The strong have the right to take what
they want, and the weak are there to be exploited. When chaotic evil
characters band together, they are not motivated by a desire to
cooperate, but rather to oppose powerful enemies. Such a group can
be held together only by a strong leader capable of bullying his
underlings into obedience. Since leadership is based on raw power, a
leader is likely to be replaced at the first sign of weakness by anyone
who can take his position away from him by any method.

Weapon Proficiencies
Weapon proficiency represents a characters knowledge and
training with a specific weapon. When a character is created he or
she has a few initial slots which must be filled immediately before
the character embarks on his first adventure. A character can assign
weapon proficiency slots only to those weapons allowed by his or
her character class. As a character reaches higher experience
levels, he also earns additional weapon proficiency points that can
be assigned. The rate at which proficiencies are gained depends on
the characters class. Warriors, who concentrate on their martial
skills, learn to handle a great number of weapons. They gain
weapon proficiencies quickly. Wizards, who spend their time
studying magical arts, have little time to practice with weapons.
They gain additional weapon proficiencies very slowly.
A character who has a specific weapon proficiency is skilled
with that weapon and familiar with its use. Hence, if you have
assigned one proficiency point to a character, he or she can attack
without penalty using that weapon. If you equip a character with a
weapon that he or she is not proficient with, a -1 to hit and -1
damage penalty applies.

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Proficiencies
Proficiencies are a characters trained abilities with weapons. If a
character lacks a proficiency with a type of weapon, they receive
penalty when using it. Warrior characters can specialise in
weapons, which allow them bonuses when using weapons of that
type.
Bow: This weapon class allows the character to use long bows,
composite bows, and short bows. Only fighters, rangers,
and paladins can use the composite long bow. Thieves can
choose this category, but are restricted to short bows only.
Spiked Weapons: This weapon class allows the character to
use morning stars and flails.
Small Sword: This weapon class allows the character to use
daggers and short swords. A mage or druid can select
this class, but they are restricted to daggers only.
Large Sword: This weapon class allows the character to use
bastard swords, Two-handed swords, and long swords.
The thief is able to take this weapon class, but he is only
allowed to use the long sword.
Axe: This weapon class allows the character to use battle
axes and throwing axes.
Blunt Weapons: This weapon class allow the character to
use maces, clubs, warhammers, and the staff. Druids and
thieves can choose this category, but are limited to the
club and staff only. Mages can choose this category, but
are limited to the staff alone.
Missile Weapons: This weapon class allows the character to
use slings, darts, and crossbows. Mages, druids, and
thieves can choose this category but are restricted to
slings and darts. Clerics can choose this category but
are restricted to slings alone.
Spear: This weapon class allows the character to use spears
and halberds. Druids can choose this category, but are
restricted to spears only.

Special Abilities
Find Traps
Thieves can select the find traps mode, and thereafter they will
continually scan for traps. If a thief chooses any other action, he is
unable to find traps until this mode is reselected.
Detecting Secret Doors
Each character has their secret door detection ability on at all
times.

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Their chances are calculated using the following:
Mage: 5% Thief: 15% Fighter: 10% Cleric: 10%
Depending on Race, they also get a bonus:
Elf: 20% Dwarf: 10% Halfling: 5%
When a thief has his find traps ability on, he has a 100% chance
to detect secret doors.
Druidic Shape Change
At higher levels druids can change their shape into three
different animals, each once per day. They can choose to transform
into either a brown bear, black bear, or wolf. The animals will
perhaps have more hit points, faster movement rates, or claw and
bite attacks that are quite damaging. These can come in quite
handy in combat situations.
Racial Enemy
Rangers tend to focus their efforts against one particular type of
creature. When the ranger encounters that enemy, he gains a +4
bonus to his attack rolls. However, the Ranger suffers a -4 penalty
to all encounter reactions with these creatures as well.
Hit Dice
As characters go up levels, their number of hit points increase
based on their Hit Dice. Each class has a different hit die which
reflects their ability to avoid damage in combat. For example, fighters
have a d10, which indicates that they gain between 1 and 10 hit
points when going up a level. A mage, on the other hand, being a
poor fighter, gains only 1 to 4 hit points when going up a level. The
number of Hit Dice each class receives is shown on pg 139.
Identify Items
Whenever you R-click on an item, the lore skill of your character
is compared to the lore value of the item under consideration. If the
lore skill is high enough, you successfully identify the item so that
you can see what it does. If you cannot identify an item with any of
your characters you can always cast the Identify item or take the
item to a store or temple and have it identified (for a price!).
Infravision
Infravision allows you to see more clearly in the dark by
revealing the heat generated by bodies. All warm blooded creatures
appear as red shapes if they are in the dark, at night. Undead or
cold blooded creatures are not affected by this spell or ability. Elves,
half-elves, gnomes, and dwarves use this ability automatically at
night or in dark conditions. Mages can cast it as a spell.

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Lay Hands
A paladin can heal himself or others by laying his hands upon
them. A paladin can heal 2 hit points per experience level in this
manner. This ability is usable once per day.
Lore
Each character has a lore rating. Every item has a lore value. If
a characters lore rating is equivalent or higher than an items lore
value, then he may identify that item. As characters gain levels,
they are able to identify items based on their experience. This is
listed in the table below:
Bard: 10 lore rating per level.
Thief: 3 lore rating per level.
Mage: 3 lore rating per level.
All other classes: 1 lore rating per level.
The player receives bonuses and penalties to their lore based
on their Intelligence and Wisdom. The modifier is not cumulative
with each level, but each ability bonus is applied separately. It is a
one time bonus at character creation. See the tables on page 136
for ability bonuses and modifiers.
(E.g. A character with 18 Wisdom (+10) and 15 Intelligence (+5)
would have +15 to Lore.)
Magic Resistance
Magic resistance enables a creature to ignore the effects of
spells and spell-like powers. If a creature fails to avoid a spell due to
magic resistance, he or she can still make a saving throw against
that spell to avoid the effects.
Protection from Evil
Paladins have an innate ability to provide protection from the
forces of evil. They can use this ability at will through the Special
Abilities button. The effect is identical to the 1st-level wizard spell
Protection from Evil.
Specialisation
Fighters, paladins, and rangers can train and hone their
weapons skills to higher levels than other classes. This is
accomplished by assigning more proficiencies to a single weapon.
The effects of specialisation are shown below:
Level of Points Bonus Bonus Attacks per
Proficiency Spent To Hit Damage Round***
Proficient 1 0 0 1
Specialised* 2 +1 +2 3/2**
Master 3 +3 +3 3/2
High Master 4 +3 +4 3/2
Grand Master 5 +3 +5 2

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*Note that paladins and rangers cannot hone their weapon skills beyond “specialised.”
**Note that bows and crossbows do not receive the additional multiple attacks per round,
though they do get bonuses to hit and to damage.
*** Note that this refers to attacks with melee weapons only, and that Fighters, Rangers and
Paladins also gain an extra 1/2-attack at level 7.

Spell Casting
See Magic and the Spell System in Baldur’s Gate on pg 95.
Stealth (Hide in Shadows/Move Silently) and Backstab
Thieves can choose to enter the stealth mode – effectively
becoming invisible for a time – by selecting the stealth mode. Once
invisible, their next attack is a backstab for either 2x, 3x, or 4x
damage – depending on the level of the thief. Moving around risks
detection. As well, once a thief attacks the stealth mode is ended
until successfully reselected. The thief must be out of his enemy’s
direct line of sight before he can hide once more.
Thieving (Pick Pockets, Open Locks, Remove Traps)
Thieves can pick pockets (random chance of an item carried by
the hapless victim), pick locks, and remove traps as well. This is
achieved by selecting the thieving button and clicking on the target.
Turning Undead
One important, and potentially life-saving, combat ability
available to priests and paladins is the ability to turn undead. Druids
cannot turn undead. Through the priest or paladin, the deity
manifests a portion of its power, terrifying evil, undead creatures or
blasting them right out of existence. However, since the power
must be channelled through a mortal vessel, success is not always
assured. This ability is a mode selection for that character – nothing
else can be attempted while he or she is attempting to turn undead.
Good priests and paladins can turn undead so they lose morale and
run away, or (less often) destroy them outright. Evil priests can
sometimes gain control of undead, who can then perform actions
for the priest.

One may in fact gain certain abilities in addition to these

during the course of thy travels – as to what these might be,
thou wilt have to see! - Elminster

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Magic and the Spell System

S
ome of the most powerful weapons player characters have at their
disposal in the AD&D game are magical spells. Through spells a
player character can call lightning out of the sky, heal grievous
injuries, hurl explosive balls of fire, and learn secrets long forgotten. At
the levels of characters in Baldur’s Gate, magic and spells are somewhat
more modest (only 1st- through 4th-level spells are learnable, though
some 5th-level spells are available for use via scrolls and by NPC’s). Not
every character is capable of casting spells, however. Wizards (including
specialists) and priests (or their cousins, the druids) can cast Wizard and
Priest spells, respectively. A few character classes have a limited ability
to cast spells in addition to their other attributes. Regardless of their
source, all spells fall into the categories of Wizard or Priest.

Wizard Spells
Wizard spells range from spells of simple utility to great and powerful
magics. Although characters can use spells, the workings of magic are
dimly understood at best. For the most part, it is enough to know that
”when you do this, that happens.”
Casting a wizard spell is a complicated ordeal. First, a wizard can
only use spells from his spell book. Beginning wizards start with only a
few basic spells; over time, they obtain spell scrolls to add to their
magical knowledge. (To add the spell found on a scroll to his spell book,
the wizard must scribe it into the book – this is done from the Item
Information page, which is brought up by R-clicking on a spell scroll). A
wizard’s mind can comprehend only a certain number of spells. The
number of spells he can have in his book is limited by his Intelligence.
Ultimately, it is daily spell memorisation that is most important. Every
day, the wizard must memorise spells from his spellbook. To draw on
magical energy, the wizard must shape specific mental patterns in his
mind. He uses his spell book to force his mind through mental
exercises, preparing it to hold the final twisted patterns. This process is
called memorisation. Once a wizard memorises a spell, it remains in his
memory (as potential energy) until he uses the prescribed words,
motions, and components to trigger the release of the energy. Upon
casting, the energy of the spell is spent, wiped clean from the wizard’s
mind – lost until the wizard studies and memorises that spell again. The
number of spells a wizard can memorise is given by his level; he can
memorise the same spell more than once, but each memorisation
counts as one spell toward his daily memorisation limit. Memorisation is
not a thing that happens immediately. The wizard must have a clear
head gained from a restful night’s sleep and then must spend time
studying his spell book. Spells remain memorised until they are cast or
wiped from the characters mind at the spell memorisation screen.

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Priest Spells
The spells of a priest, while sometimes having powers similar to
those of the wizard, are quite different.The priest’s role, more often
than not, is as defender and guide for others. Thus the majority of his
spells work to aid others or provide some service to the community.
Few of his spells are truly offensive, but many can be used cleverly to
protect or defend. The knowledge of what spells are available to the
priest becomes instantly clear as soon as he advances in level.This
knowledge and the power for the spells themselves are bestowed by
the priest’s deity. Priests memorise their spells in a similar way to
wizards, but they do not have to use a spell book. Instead, once they
gain access to a level of spells granted by the powers they worship,
they can memorise any spells from the priest spells in this level, up to
their maximum memorisable number of priest spells. Priests must
pray (this is done when the party rests, much as a wizard memorises
spells when the party rests) to obtain spells.

Schools of Magic
Although all wizard and priest spells are learned and memorised
the same way, they fall into nine different schools of magic. A school
of magic is a group of related spells.
Abjuration spells are specialised protective spells.
Alteration spells cause a change in the properties of some
already existing thing, creature, or condition.
Conjuration/Summoning spells bring something to the caster
from elsewhere. Conjuration normally produces matter or items from
some other place. Summoning enables the caster to compel living
creatures and powers to appear in his presence or to channel
extraplanar energies through himself.
Enchantment/Charm spells cause a change in the quality of an
item or the attitude of a person or creature. Enchantments can
bestow magical properties on ordinary items, while charms can
unduly influence the behaviour of beings.
Divination spells enable the wizard to learn secrets long
forgotten, to predict the future, and to uncover things hidden or
cloaked by spells.
Illusion spells deceive the senses or minds of others.
Invocation/Evocation spells channel magical energy to create
specific effects and materials. Invocation normally relies on the
intervention of some higher agency (to whom the spell is addressed),
while evocation enables the caster to directly shape the energy.
Necromancy is one of the most restrictive of all spell schools. It
deals with dead things or the restoration of life, limbs, or vitality to
living creatures.

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 Offensive spell icons are red, defensive spell icons are blue,
and information spell icons are white.

Spells in Baldur’s Gate – by level

T
he spells are organised according to their group (priest or
wizard) and level. Within each level, the spells are arranged
alphabetically. At the start of each spell description is the
following important game information:

Name: Each spell is identified by name. In parentheses after the

name is the school to which that spell belongs. When more than
one is listed, that spell is common to all schools given.
School: In parentheses after the spell name is the name of the school
of magic to which the spell belongs. For wizard spells, this defines
which spells a wizard specialist can learn, depending on the wizard’s
school of specialisation. For priest spells, the school notation is used
only for reference purposes, to indicate which school the spell is
considered to belong to. The spells of a given school have similar
colours and casting effects – so you can gauge what an enemy is
casting by the colour and appearance of the effects as he casts it.
Range: This lists the distance from the caster at which the spell
effect occurs or begins, in feet. A “0” indicates the spell can be
used on the caster only, with the effect embodied within or
emanating from him. “Touch” means the caster can use the spell
on others if he can physically touch them (that is, score a
successful to hit roll).
Duration: This lists how long the magical energy of the spell lasts.
Spells of instantaneous duration come and go the moment they are
cast, although the results of these spelIs may be permanent and
unchangeable by normal means. Spells of permanent duration last
until the effects are negated by some means, usually by a dispel
magic. Some spells have a variable duration.
Casting Time: This represents a fraction of the spell caster’s six
second personal initiative round which is used performing the chants
and motions necessary to cast the spell. This time is exactly
equivalent to the speed factor of a weapon. The spell casting time is
varied by an initiative roll that is performed each time a spell is cast.
Area of Effect: This lists what is affected by the spell, be it an area,
or a group of creatures. Some spells (such as bless) affect the
friends or enemies of the caster. In all cases, this refers to the
perception of the caster at the time the spell is cast.
Saving Throw: This lists whether the spell allows the target a saving
throw and the effect of a successful save: “Neg.” results in the spell

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having no effect; “1/2” means the character suffers half the normal
amount of damage; “None” means no saving throw is allowed.
Spell Description: The text provides a complete description of how
the spell functions.

Mage Spells – Level 1

Armour (Conjuration)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: The caster
Duration: 9 hours Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1 round
By means of this spell, the wizard creates a magical field of
force that serves as if it was scale mail armour (AC 6). Its effects are
cumulative with Dexterity and, in the case of fighter/mages, with
the shield bonus. The Armour spell does not hinder movement,
adds no weight or encumbrance, nor does it prevent spell casting.
It lasts until successfully dispelled or until the duration runs out.

Blindness (Illusion/Phantasm)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 10 minutes Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 2
This spell blinds its target. A saving throw is allowed, and if
successful there are no harmful effects. If a victim is blinded he
receives –4 to hit on his attack rolls, and has a 4 point Armour
Class penalty.

Burning Hands (Alteration)

Range: 0 Area of Effect: The caster
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: 1/2
Casting Time: 1
When the wizard casts this spell, a jet of searing flame shoots
from his fingertips. His hands must be held so as to send forth a
fanlike sheet of flames: the wizard’s thumbs must touch each other
and fingers must be spread. The burning hands send out flame jets
of five-foot length in a horizontal arc of about 120 degrees in front of
the wizard. Any creature in the area of the flames suffers 1d3 hit
points of damage, plus 2 points for each level of experience of the
spell- caster, to a maximum of 1d3 + 20 points of fire damage.
Those successfully saving vs. spell receive half damage.

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 Charm Person (Enchantment/Charm)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 person
Duration: 17 rounds Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 1
This spell affects any single person it is cast upon. The term
“person” includes any bipedal human, demihuman, or humanoid of
man-size or smaller, such as brownies, dryads, dwarves, elves,
gnolls, gnomes, goblins, half-elves, halflings, half-orcs, hobgoblins,
humans, kobolds, lizard men, nixies, orcs, pixies, sprites,
troglodytes, and others. Thus, a 10th-level fighter could be
charmed, but an ogre could not. The person receives a saving
throw vs. spell to avoid the effect., with A recipient who fails a
saving throw vs. spell regards the caster as a trusted friend and ally
to be heeded and protected. The caster may give him orders, and
the charmed individual will carry them out as quickly as possible.
If the caster harms, or attempts to harm, the charmed person by
some overt action, or if a dispel magic spell is successfully cast
upon the charmed person, the Charm Person spell is broken. If two
or more charm effects simultaneously affect a creature, the most
recent charm takes precedence. Note that the subject has full
memory of the events that took place while he was charmed.
No charmed creatures may leave the area or attack non-hostile
targets.

Casting Charm on everyone thou might meet is not advisable

as they may forget some information they might have
otherwise told thee. Especially aggravating if they forget to
pay thee or lose interest in a quest they gave thee! -
Elminster
Chill Touch (Necromancy)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: The caster
Duration: 10 rounds Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 1
When the caster completes this spell, a blue glow
encompasses his hand. This energy attacks the life force of any
living creature upon which the wizard makes a successful melee
attack. The touched creature must make a saving throw vs. spell or
suffer 1-8 points of damage and receive a –2 THACO modifier. The
spell is especially useful for Fighter/Mages, as the enhancement
uses the Blunt weapon proficiency for purposes of attack roles and
number of attacks per round.

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Chromatic Orb (Evocation)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: special Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 1
This spell causes a 4-inch-diameter sphere to appear in the
caster’s hand. When thrown, the sphere heads unerringly to its
target. The effect the orb has upon the target varies with the level of
the mage who cast the spell. A 1st-level sphere inflicts 1-4 damage
and blinds the target for one round. A 2nd-level sphere inflicts 1-6
damage and inflicts pain upon the victim. A 3rd-level sphere deals
1-8 damage and burns the victim. A 4th-level sphere deals 1-10
damage and blinds the target for 10 rounds. A 5th-level sphere
deals 1-12 damage and stuns the target for 3 rounds. The 6th-level
sphere deals 2-16 damage and causes weakness in the victim. The
7th-level sphere deals 2-16 damage and paralyses the victim for 20
rounds. A save against this spell negates both the damage and the
other effects.
Colour Spray (Alteration)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: 5’ x 20’ x 20’ wedge
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 1
Upon casting this spell, the wizard causes a vivid, fan-shaped
spray of clashing colours to spring forth from his hand. From one to
six creatures (1d6) within the area are affected in order of increasing
distance from the wizard. All creatures in the area must make a
saving throw or be rendered unconscious.
Friends (Enchantment/Charm)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: The caster
Duration: 1d4 rounds Saving Throw: Special
+ 1 round/level
Casting Time: 1
A Friends spell causes the wizard to temporarily gain 2d4 points
of Charisma. Those who view the caster tend to be very impressed
with the spellcaster and make an effort to be his friends and help
him, as appropriate to the situation. Officious bureaucrats might
decide to become helpful; surly gate guards might wax informative;
attacking orcs might spare the caster’s life, taking him captive
instead.
Grease (Conjuration)
Range: 10 yards Area of Effect: 30’ x 30’ area
Duration: 3 rounds + 1 round/level Saving Throw: Special
Casting Time: 1
A Grease spell covers a material surface with a slippery layer of
a fatty, greasy nature. Any creature entering the area or caught in it

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 when the spell is cast must save vs. spell or slip and skid, unable
to move at normal rates. Those who successfully save can reach
the nearest non-greased surface by the end of the round. Those
who remain in the area are allowed a saving throw each round until
they escape the area.

Identify (Divination)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: 1 item
Duration: 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: Special
When an Identify spell is cast, the magical item subsequently
touched by the wizard can be identified. The chance of identifying
the item is 100%. The spell identifies the items name, what it does,
and if it is cursed.
Infravision (Divination)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 10 turns Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: Special
The recipient of this spell gains the ability to see with infravision,
just as an elf or dwarf.

Larloch’s Minor Drain (Necromancy)

Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Instant Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
With this spell the wizard drains the life force from a target and
adds it to his own. The target creature suffers 1-4 damage, while the
wizard gains 1-4 hit points. If the wizard goes over his maximum hit
point total with this spell, he loses them after 10 rounds.

Magic Missile (Evocation)

Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
Use of the Magic Missile spell, one of the most popular 1st-level
spells, creates up to five missiles of magical energy that dart forth
from the wizard’s fingertip and unerringly strike their target, which
must be a creature of some sort. Each missile inflicts 1d4+1 points
of damage. For every two extra levels of experience, the wizard
gains an additional missile – he has two at 3rd level, three at 5th
level, four at 7th level, etc., up to a total of five missiles at 9th level.

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Protection from Evil (Abjuration)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: The caster
Duration: 10 rounds Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
When this spell is cast, it creates a magical barrier around the
recipient at a distance of one foot. The barrier moves with the
recipient and has two major effects: First, all attacks made by evil or
evilly enchanted creatures against the protected creature receive a
penalty of -2 to each attack roll, and any saving throws caused by
such attacks are made by the protected creature with a +2 bonus.

Shield (Evocation)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: The caster
Duration: 5 turns Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
When this spell is cast, an invisible barrier comes into being in
front of the wizard. It sets the caster’s Armour Class to 4 against
normal weapons, and 2 against missile weapons.
Shocking Grasp (Alteration)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Special Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
When the wizard touches a creature while this spell is in effect,
an electrical charge will deal 1-10 damage to the creature. The
wizard only has one charge, and once an opponent has been
touched the spells energies have been used. The spell always hits
unless the mage is disrupted.
Sleep (Enchantment/Charm)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 5 rounds/level Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 1
When a wizard casts a Sleep spell, he causes a comatose
slumber to come upon one or more creatures (other than undead
and certain other creatures specifically excluded from the spells
effects). All creatures to be affected by the Sleep spell must be
within 30 feet of each other. Creatures in the area of effect must
make a saving throw at a –3 penalty or fall asleep. Monsters with
4+3 Hit Dice (4 Hit Dice plus 3 hit points) or more are unaffected.
The centre of the area of effect is determined by the spellcaster.
Magically sleeping opponents can be attacked with substantial
bonuses.

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 Mage Spells – Level 2
Agannazar’s Scorcher (Evocation)
Range: 20 yards Area of Effect: 2-foot by 60-foot jet.
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 3
Upon casting this spell a jet of flame appears at the caster’s
fingertips and bursts out toward one target of the caster’s choice.
That target is hit by this flame for 3-18 points of damage, as is
anyone who stands in the path of the flame. There is no saving
throw against this spell, though anti-fire capabilities such as fire
resistance will apply and may reduce or eliminate the damage.

Blur (Illusion/Phantasm)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: The caster
Duration: 3 rounds + 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 2
When a Blur spell is cast , the wizard causes the outline of his form
to become blurred, shifting and wavering. This distortion causes all
missile and melee combat attacks against the caster to be made with
–3 penalties. The wizard also gains a +1 to all of his saving throws.

Detect Invisibility (Divination)

Range: 10 yards/level Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 4 turns Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 2
When the wizard casts a Detect Invisibility spell, he is able to see
clearly any objects or beings that are invisible, as well as any that
are astral, ethereal, or out of phase. In addition, it enables the
wizard to detect hidden or concealed creatures (e.g., thieves in
shadows, halflings in underbrush, and so on). It does not reveal the
method of concealment or invisibility, except in the case of astral
travelers (where the silver cord can be seen). It does not reveal
illusions or enable the caster to see through physical objects. Note:
if an invisible creature enters the area of effect after the spell has
already been cast, the creature will remain invisible.
Ghoul Touch (Necromancy)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: The caster
Duration: 5 rounds Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 3
When the caster completes this spell, a green glow
encompasses his hand. When the wizard makes a successful
melee attack against a creature, that creature is paralysed by the
negative energy. The touched creature must make a saving throw vs

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spell or be paralysed for 5 rounds. The spell is especially useful for
Fighter/Mages, as the enhancement uses the Blunt weapon proficiency
for purposes of attack rolls and number of attacks per round.

Horror (Necromancy)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 30-foot cube
Duration: 10 rounds Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 2
All enemies within the area of effect when this spell is cast must
save vs. spell or flee in terror. Certain creatures are immune to the
effects of fear, including all undead.
Invisibility (Illusion/Phantasm)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Special Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 2
This spell causes the creature touched to vanish from sight and be
undetectable by normal vision or even infravision. Of course, the
invisible creature is not magically silenced, and certain other conditions
can render the creature detectable. Even allies cannot see the invisible
creature or his gear, unless these allies can normally see invisible
things or employ magic to do so. Items dropped or put down by the
invisible creature become visible, items picked up disappear if tucked
into the clothing or pouches worn by the creature. The spell remains
in effect until it is magically broken or dispelled, until the wizard or
recipient cancels it, until the recipient attacks any creature, or until 24
hours have passed. Thus the invisible being can open doors, talk, eat,
climb stairs, etc., but if he attacks, he immediately becomes visible,
although the invisibility enables him to attack first.

Knock (Alteration)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: Locked door or chest
Duration: Special Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
The Knock spell opens locked, held or wizard locked doors. It
opens secret doors, as well as locked boxes or chests. It does not
raise barred gates or similar impediments.

Know Alignment (Divination)

Range: 10 yards Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: instant Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 1 round
A Know Alignment spell enables the mage to exactly read the
aura of a creature. The caster must remain stationary and
concentrate on the subject for a full round. If the creature rolls a
successful saving throw vs. spell, the caster learns nothing about

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 that particular creature from the casting. Certain magical devices
negate the power of the Know Alignment spell. Evil creatures will
glow red, neutrals blue, and friendly creatures will glow green for a
brief period.

Luck (Enchantment/Charm)
Range: 10 yards Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 3 rounds Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 2
The recipient of this spell is lucky in every thing that he does for
the next 3 rounds. He receives a bonus +1 to any of his actions.
This includes saving throws, to hit chances, thieving skills, etc.

Melf’s Acid Arrow (Conjuration)

Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Special Saving Throw: Special
Casting Time: 2
By means of this spell, the wizard creates a magical arrow that
speeds to its target unerringly. The arrow has no attack or damage
bonus, but it inflicts 2d4 points of acid damage. (There is no splash
damage.) For every three levels that the caster has achieved, the
acid lasts for another round, unless somehow neutralised, inflicting
another 2d4 points of damage each round. So at 3rd-5th level, the
acid lasts two rounds, at 6th-8th level, the acid lasts for three
rounds, etc.

Mirror Image (Illusion/Phantasm)

Range: 0 Area of Effect: 6-foot radius
Duration: 3 rounds/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 2
When a Mirror Image spell is invoked, the spellcaster causes
from two to eight exact duplicates of himself to come into being
around him. These images do exactly what the wizard does. Since
the spell causes a blurring and slight distortion when it is cast, it is
impossible for opponents to be certain which are the illusions and
which is the actual wizard. When an image is struck by a melee or
missile attack, magical or otherwise, it disappears, but any other
existing images remain intact until struck. The images shift from
round to round so that an enemy must first hit every image before
being able to hit the wizard.

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Protection from Petrification (Abjuration)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 3 rounds/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
This spell grants the recipient immunity to all petrification attacks. This
includes basilisk and medusa gaze, cursed scrolls of petrification, etc.

Resist Fear (Abjuration)

Range: 10 yards Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 1 hour Saving Throw: Special
Casting Time: 1
This mage spell instills courage in the spell recipient, raising his
morale to its highest. The recipients morale will gradually reset to
normal as the duration runs out. If the recipient is affected by
magical fear, this spell is negated.

Stinking Cloud (Evocation)

Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 20-foot cube
Duration: 1 round/level Saving Throw: Special
Casting Time:2
The Stinking Cloud spell creates a billowing mass of nauseous
vapours up to 30 yards away from the wizard. Any creature caught
within the cloud must roll a successful saving throw vs. poison at +2
or be reeling and unable to attack because of nausea, for 1 round
following. Those who make successful saving throws can leave the
cloud without suffering any ill effects, although those remaining in the
cloud must continue to save each round. These poisonous effects
can be slowed or neutralised by appropriate magic.

Strength (Alteration)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 person
Duration: 1 hour/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1 turn
Application of this spell increases the Strength of the character to
18/50. The character receives any strength bonuses appropriate. If
a character has higher than 18/50 strength, then this spell will
actually lower the strength of the recipient.

Vocalise (Alteration)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 spell caster
Duration: 10 rounds Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 2
The recipient of this spell can cast spells with a verbal
component without having to make any noise, so long as the
casting takes place entirely within the duration of the Vocalise spell.

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 Only the verbal requirement of spells is deleted. This spell has no
effect on other noises or speech – it simply removes a spell's verbal
component.
This spell is of great use when quiet is desired in spell casting or
the individual has been magically silenced.

Web (Evocation)
Range: 5 yards/level Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 2 turns/level Saving Throw: 1/2
Casting Time: 2
A Web spell creates a many-layered mass of strong, sticky
strands similar to spider webs but far larger and tougher. Creatures
caught within webs, or simply touching them, become stuck
among the gluey fibres. Anyone in the area when the spell is cast
must roll a saving throw vs. spell with a -2 penalty. If the saving
throw is successful, two things may have occurred. If the creature
has room to escape the area, then it is assumed to have jumped
free. If there is no room to escape, then the webs are only half
strength. Half strength webs allow for a person to slowly make his
way out of the web. He may not make any physical attacks while
within the web.

Mage Spells – Level 3

Clairvoyance (Divination)
Range: Special Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 1 round Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 3
The Clairvoyance spell empowers the wizard to see in his mind
the geographical features and buildings of the region he is currently
exploring. It extends to a great range, but cannot reveal creatures
or their movement. the spell does not function indoors or
underground.

Dire Charm (Enchantment/Charm)

Range: 20 yards Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 20 rounds Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 3
This spell works in a manner very similar to the Charm Person
spell. However, the affected creature goes into a berserk state,
wanting no one to harm his master (the spell caster). Thus, the
creature will fight enemies of the caster, even former allies. The
spell is limited in the same manner as Charm Person Spell. The
spell can affect any bipedal human, demihuman, or humanoid of
man-size or smaller, such as brownies, dryads, dwarves, elves,

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gnolls, gnomes, goblins, half-elves, halflings, half-orcs, hobgoblins,
humans, kobolds, lizard men, nixies, orcs, pixies, sprites,
troglodytes, and others. Thus, a 10th-level fighter could be
charmed, but an ogre could not.

Dispel Magic (Abjuration)

Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 30-foot cube
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 3
A Dispel Magic spell removes magical effects upon anyone
within the area. This includes effects given from spells, potions and
effects from certain magical items. It does not, however, affect
magical items themselves.
This spell can wreak havoc on thy allies and enemies alike.
Cast it wisely! – Elminster
Fireball (Evocation)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 20-foot radius
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: 1/2
Casting Time: 3
A Fireball spell is an explosive burst of flame, which detonates
with a low roar and delivers damage proportional to the level of the
wizard who cast it: 1d6 points of damage for each level of
experience of the spellcaster (up to a maximum of 10d6). The
wizard points his finger and speaks the range (distance and height)
at which the fireball is to burst. A streak flashes from the pointing
digit and, unless it impacts upon a material body or solid barrier
prior to attaining the prescribed range, blossoms into the fireball (an
early impact results in an early detonation). Creatures failing their
saving throws suffer full damage from the blast. Those who roll
successful saving throws manage to dodge, fall flat, or roll aside,
receiving half damage.

Flame Arrow (Conjuration/Summoning)

Range: sight of caster Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 1 round Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 3
This spell enables the caster to hurl fiery bolts at opponents
within range. Each bolt inflicts 1d6 points of piercing damage, plus
4d6 points of fire damage. Only half of the fire damage is inflicted if
the creature struck saves vs. spell. The caster receives one bolt for
every five experience levels (two bolts at 10th level, three at 15th
level, etc.). Bolts must be used on creatures within 20 yards of
each other and in front of the wizard.

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 Ghost Armour (Conjuration)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 10 turns Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
By means of this spell, the wizard creates a magical field of
force that serves as if it were plate armour (AC 2). It is cumulative
with Dexterity effects and, in the case of fighter/mages, with the
shield bonus. The Ghost Armour spell does not hinder movement,
adds no weight or encumbrance, nor does it prevent spellcasting. It
lasts until dispelled or until the duration runs out.'

Haste (Alteration)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 40’ cube, 1
creature/level
Duration: 3 rounds + 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 3
When this spell is cast, each affected creature functions at
double its normal movement and attack rates. A hasted creature
gains a -2 initiative bonus. Thus, a creature moving at 6 and
attacking once per round would move at 12 and attack twice per
round. Spellcasting and spell effects are not sped up. All affected by
the Haste spell must be in the designated area of effect. Note that
this spell negates the effects of a Slow spell. This spell is not
cumulative with itself or with other similar magic.

Hold Person (Enchantment/Charm)

Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: special
Duration: 1 round/level Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 3
This spell holds 1-4 humans, demihumans, or humanoid
creatures rigidly immobile and in place for five or more rounds.
The Hold Person spell affects any bipedal human, demihuman, or
humanoid of mansize or smaller, including brownies, dryads,
dwarves, elves, gnolls, gnomes, goblins, half-elves, halflings, half-
orcs, hobgoblins, humans, kobolds, lizard men, nixies, orcs, pixies,
sprites, troglodytes, and others. Thus, a 10th-level fighter could be
held, while an ogre could not. The effect selects the enemies
closest to the target and holds them. Enemies making their saving
throws are totally unaffected by the spell. Undead creatures cannot
be held. Held creatures cannot move or speak, but they remain
aware of events around them and can use abilities not requiring
motion or speech. Being held does not prevent the worsening of
the subjects’ condition due to wounds, disease, or poison.

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Lightning Bolt (Evocation)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: Special
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: 1/2
Casting Time: 3
Upon casting this spell, the wizard releases a powerful stroke of
electrical energy that inflicts 1d6 points of damage per level of the
spellcaster to each creature within its area of effect (maximum
damage of 10d6). A successful saving throw vs. spell reduces this
damage to half (round fractions down). When the lightning bolt
intersects with a wall it will rebound until it reaches its full length –
hitting the same enemy multiple times, or even members of your
own party.

Monster Summoning I (Conjuration/Summoning)

Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 3 rounds + 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 4
Within one round of casting this spell, the wizard magically
conjures 8 Hit Dice of monsters. These appear within spell range
and attack the caster’s opponents, until the spell duration expires,
or the monsters are slain. These creatures do not check morale and
vanish when slain. If no opponent exists to fight, and the wizard
can communicate with them, the summoned monsters can perform
other services for the wizard.

Nondetection (Abjuration)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 creature or item
Duration: 20 turns Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 3
By casting this spell, the wizard makes the creature or object
touched undetectable by divination spells such as Clairaudience,
Clairvoyance, Locate Object, ESP, and detect spells. It also prevents
location by such magical items as crystal balls and ESP medallions.
It does not affect the Know Alignment spell.

Protection from Normal Missiles (Abjuration)

Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 1 turn/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 3
By means of this spell, the wizard bestows total invulnerability
to all non magical hurled and projected missiles, such as arrows,
axes, bolts, javelins, small stones, and spears. Note, however, that
this spell does not provide protection from such magical attacks as
Fireballs, Lightening Bolts, Magic Missiles or magically enhanced
projectiles.

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 Skull Trap (Necromancy)
Range: 20 yards Area of Effect: 30-foot radius
Duration: Until triggered Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 3
Upon casting this spell, a skull is thrown by the caster at the target
area. The skull floats in the area until a creature comes within 20 feet
of it. When this happens the skull is triggered and explodes,
damaging everyone within a 30 foot radius. The damage inflicted is
equal to 1-6 hit points per level of the caster. When casting this spell
it is wise to set it far away from the party, lest they set it off accidently.

Slow (Alteration)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 40-foot cube
Duration: 10 rounds Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 3
A Slow spell causes creatures to move and attack at 1/2 of their
normal rates. It negates Haste, but does not otherwise affect
magically speeded or slowed creatures. Slowed creatures have an
Armour Class penalty of +4 to AC, and an attack penalty of –4.
Creatures save at –4 vs the spell.
Vampiric Touch (Necromancy)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 3
When the caster successfully touches an opponent in melee,
the opponent loses 1-6 hit points for every two caster levels, to a
maximum drain of 6-36 for a 12th-level caster. These hit points are
added to the caster’s total, with any hit points over the caster’s
normal maximum total treated as temporary additional hit points.
The temporary hit points last for 5 turns.

Mage Spells – Level 4

Confusion (Enchantment/Charm)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: Up to 60-foot cube
Duration: 2 rounds + 1 round/level Saving Throw: Special
Casting Time: 4
This spell causes confusion in one or more creatures within the
area, creating indecision and the inability to take effective action. All
creatures within the area of affect are allowed saving throws vs.
spell with a -2 penalty. Those successfully saving are unaffected by
the spell. The spell lasts for two rounds plus one round for each
level of the caster. Those who fail their saving throws will either go

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berserk, stand confused or wander about for the duration of the
spell. Wandering creatures move as far from the caster as possible,
according to their most typical mode of movement (characters
walk, fish swim, bats fly, etc.). Any confused creature that is
attacked perceives the attacker as an enemy and acts according to
its basic nature.

Dimension Door (Alteration)

Range: 0 Area of Effect: The caster
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
This spell transports the caster to any place within the visual
range of the caster. When the spell is cast a dimensional portal
opens up in front of the caster, which he immediately steps
through.
Improved Invisibility (Illusion/Phantasm)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 10 rounds Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 4
This spell is similar to the Invisibility spell, but the recipient is
able to attack, either by missile discharge, melee combat, or
spellcasting, and remain unseen. However, telltale traces, a
shimmering, allow an observant opponent to attack the invisible
spell recipient. These traces are only noticeable when specifically
looked for (after the invisible character has made his presence
known). Attacks against the invisible character suffer a -4 penalty to
attack rolls, and the invisible characters saving throws are made
with a +4 bonus.
Minor Globe of Invulnerability (Abjuration)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: 5-foot-radius sphere
Duration: 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 4
This spell creates an immobile, faintly shimmering magical
sphere around the caster that prevents any 1st-, 2nd-, or 3rd-level
spell effects from penetrating (i.e., the area of effect of any such
spell does not include the area of the Minor Globe of Invulnerability).
This includes innate abilities and effects from devices. However,
any type of spell can be cast out of the magical sphere, and these
pass from the caster of the globe to their subject without affecting
the minor globe. Spells of the 4th- level and higher are not affected
by the globe. The globe can be brought down by a successful
Dispel Magic spell.

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 Monster Summoning II (Conjuration/Summoning)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 3 rounds + 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 4
This spell is much like the 3rd-level Monster Summoning I spell,
except that this spell summons 12 Hit Dice of monsters. These
appear anywhere within the spell range and attack the caster’s
opponents, until the spell duration expires, or the monsters are
slain. These creatures do not check morale; they vanish when slain.
If no opponent exists to fight and the wizard can communicate with
them, the summoned monsters can perform other services for the
summoning wizard.

Mage Spells – Level 5

Animate Dead (Necromancy)
Range: 10 yards Area of Effect: Special
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 5 rounds
This spell creates the lowest of the undead monsters, skeletons
or zombies, usually from the bones or bodies of dead humans,
demihumans, or humanoids. The spell causes these remains to
become animated and obey the simple verbal commands of the
caster, regardless of how they communicated in life. The skeletons
or zombies can follow the caster, remain in an area and attack any
creature (or just a specific type of creature) entering the place, etc.
The undead remain animated until they are destroyed in combat or
are turned; the magic cannot be dispelled. The caster can animate
one skeleton or one zombie for each experience level he has
attained.

Cloudkill (Evocation)
Range: 10 yards Area of Effect: 40’ wide,
Duration: 1 round/level 20’ high, 20’ deep cloud
Casting Time: 5 Saving Throw: Special
This spell generates a billowing cloud of ghastly yellowish green
vapours that is so toxic as to slay any creature with fewer than 4+1
Hit Dice, cause creatures with 4+1 to 6 Hit Dice to roll saving
throws vs. poison with -4 penalty or be slain. Holding one’s breath
has no effect on the lethality of the spell. Those above 6th level (or
6 Hit Dice) must leave the cloud immediately or suffer 1d10 points
of poison damage each round while in the area of effect.

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Monster Summoning III (Conjuration/Summoning)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 4 rounds + 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 5
This spell is much like the 3rd-level Monster Summoning I spell,
except that this spell summons 16 Hit Dice of monsters. These
appear within spell range and attack the caster’s opponents, until the
spell duration expires, or the monsters are slain. These creatures do
not check morale and vanish when slain. If no opponent exists to
fight, and the wizard can communicate with them, the summoned
monsters can perform other services for the wizard.

Shadow Door (Illusion/Phantasm)

Range: 10 yards Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 2
By means of this spell, the wizard creates the illusion of a door.
The illusion also permits the wizard to appear to step through this
“door” and disappear. In reality he has darted aside and can flee,
totally invisible, for the spell duration. A True Seeing spell, a gem of
seeing, or similar magical means can discover the wizard.

Priest Spells – Level 1

Bless (Conjuration/Summoning)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 50-foot cube
Duration: 6 rounds Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1 round
Upon uttering the Bless spell, the caster raises the morale of
friendly creatures and any saving throw rolls they make against fear
effects by +1. Furthermore, it raises their attack dice rolls by +1. The
caster determines at what range (up to 60 yards) he will cast the
spell. At the instant the spell is completed, it affects all creatures in a
50-foot cube cantered on the point selected by the caster (thus,
affected creatures leaving the area are still subject to the spells effect;
those entering the area after the casting is completed are not).

Command Word: Die (Enchantment/Charm)

Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 1 round Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
This spell enables the priest to command another creature to
“die” (sleep) for a single round. At the end of the round the creature
awakens unharmed.

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 Cure Light Wounds (Necromancy)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 5
When casting this spell and laying his hand upon a creature, the
priest causes 1-8 points of wound or other injury damage to the
creatures body to be healed. This healing cannot affect creatures
without corporeal bodies, nor can it cure wounds of creatures not
living or of extraplanar origin. Curing is permanent only insofar as
the creature does not sustain further damage.

Detect Evil (Divination)

Range: Sight of Caster Area of Effect: Sight
Duration: 1 turn Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1 round
This spell discovers emanations of evil from any creature. Any
evil creature within the range of the spell will glow red briefly.

Entangle (Alteration)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 40-foot cube
Duration: 1 turn Saving Throw: Neg
Casting Time: 4
By means of this spell, the caster is able to cause plants in the
area of effect to entangle creatures within the area. The grasses,
weeds, bushes, and even trees wrap, twist, and entwine about the
creatures, holding them fast for the duration of the spell. A creature
that rolls a successful saving throw vs. spell avoids entanglement.
All creatures have a +3 bonus to their saves. An entangled creature
can still attack.

Magical Stone (Enchantment)

Range: Sight of Caster Area of Effect: Special
Duration: Special Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 4
By using this spell, the priest can temporarily enchant a small
pebble. The magical stone is then hurled or slung at an opponent.
The stone deals 1-4 damage to whomever it hits. The stone is
considered a +1 weapon for determining if a creature can be struck
(those struck only by magical weapons, for instance), although it
does not have an attack or damage bonus.

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Protection from Evil (Abjuration)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 10 rounds Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
When this spell is cast, it creates a magical barrier around the
recipient at a distance of one foot. This barrier moves with the
recipient and all attacks made by evil or evilly enchanted creatures
against the protected creature receive a penalty of -2 to each attack
roll, and any saving throws caused by such attacks are made by
the protected creature with a +2 bonus.

Remove Fear (Abjuration)

Range: 10 yards Area of Effect: 1 creature/4 levels
Duration: 1 hour Saving Throw: Special
Casting Time: 1
This priest spell instills courage in the spell recipient, raising his
morale to its highest. The recipients morale will gradually reset to
normal as the duration runs out. If the recipient is effected by
magical fear, this is removed.
Sanctuary (Abjuration)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: The caster
Duration: 10 rounds Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 4
When the priest casts a Sanctuary spell, it causes all of his
opponents to ignore his existence; it as if he is invisible. While
protected by this spell, the subject cannot take direct offensive
action without breaking the spell, but may use non-attack spells or
otherwise act in any way that does not violate the prohibition
against offensive action. This allows a warded priest to heal
wounds, for example, or to Bless himself. He cannot cast spells on
other creatures without ending the spell.
Shillelagh (Alteration)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 4 rounds + 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 2
This spell enables the caster to create a magical cudgel that has
a +1 bonus to its attack roll and inflicts 2d4 points of damage on
opponents. This spell is especially useful for Fighter/Clerics, as the
enhancement uses the Small Swords weapon proficiency for
purposes of attack rolls and number of attacks per round.

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 Priest Spells – Level 2
Aid (Necromancy, Conjuration)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 1 round + 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 5
The recipient of this spell gains the benefit of a Bless spell
(+1 to attack rolls and saving throws) and a special bonus of 1d8
additional hit points for the duration of the spell. The Aid spell
enables the recipient to actually have more hit points than his full
normal total. The bonus hit points are lost when the recipient takes
damage; they cannot be regained by curative magic.
Barkskin (Alteration)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 4 rounds + 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 5
When a priest casts the Barkskin spell upon a creature, its skin
becomes as tough as bark, increasing its base Armour Class to AC
6, plus 1 AC for every four levels of the priest: Armour Class 5 at 4th
level, Armour Class 4 at 8th, and so on. In addition, saving throw
rolls vs. all attack forms except magic gain a +1 bonus. This spell
can be placed on the caster or on any other creature he touches.
Chant (Conjuration/Summoning)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: 30-foot radius
Duration: 5 rounds Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1 round
By means of the Chant spell, the priest brings special favour
upon himself and his party, and causes harm to his enemies. When
the Chant spell is completed, all attack and damage rolls and saving
throws made by those in the area of effect who are friendly to the
priest gain +1 bonuses, while those of the priest’s enemies suffer -1
penalties. Multiple chants are not cumulative.

Charm Person or Mammal (Enchantment/Charm)

Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 person or mammal
Duration: Special Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 5
The effects of this spell are identical to the 1st-level wizard spell
Charm Person.

Draw Upon Holy Might (Invocation)

Range: 0 Area of Effect: The caster
Duration: 10 rounds Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 2

118 ™
 The priest calls upon his god to grant him power for a short
period. When he does this his Strength, Constitution and Dexterity
all are raised by 1 point for every 3 levels of the caster. A 3rd-level
caster would have his abilities raised by 1, while a 12th-level caster
would have all his abilities raised by 4.

Find Traps (Divination)

Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 10-foot path
Duration: 3 turns Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 5
When a priest casts a Find Traps spell, all traps – concealed
normally or magically, of magical or mechanical nature – become
apparent to him, much as if he or she were a thief. A trap is any
device or magical ward that meets three criteria: it can inflict a
sudden or unexpected result, the spellcaster would view the result
as undesirable or harmful, and the creator specifically intended the
harmful or undesirable result as such. Thus traps include alarms,
glyphs, and similar spells or devices.

Flame Blade (Evocation)

Range: 0 Area of Effect: 3 foot-long blade
Duration: 4 rounds + 1 round/2 levels Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 4
With this spell, the caster causes a blazing ray of red-hot fire to
spring forth from his hand. This blade-like ray is wielded as if it
were a scimitar. If the caster successfully hits with the flame blade
in melee combat, the creature struck suffers 1d4 + 4 points of
damage, with a damage bonus of +2 (i.e., 7-10 points) if the
creature is undead or is especially vulnerable to fire. If the creature
is protected from fire, the damage inflicted is reduced by 2 (i.e., 1d4
+ 2 points). Fire dwellers and those using fire as an innate attack
form suffer no damage from the spell. However, it is not a magical
weapon in the normal sense of the term, so creatures (other than
undead) struck only by magical weapons are not harmed by it. This
spell does not function underwater. This spell is especially useful
for Fighter/Clerics or Fighter/Druids, as the enhancement uses the
Small Sword weapon proficiency for purposes of attack rolls and
number of attacks per round.

Goodberry (Alteration, Evocation)

Range: 0 Area of Effect: Special
Duration: Permanent Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1 round
Casting a Goodberry spell creates 5 magical berries that the
caster can carry with him. These berries cure one point of physical
damage for each one eaten.

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 Hold Person (Enchantment/Charm)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 2 rounds/level Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 5
The effects of this spell are identical to the 3rd-level wizard spell
Hold Person.

Know Alignment (Divination)

Range: 10 yards Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting time: 1 round
A Know Alignment spell enables the priest to exactly read the aura
of a creature. The caster must remain stationary and concentrate on
the subject for a full round. If the creature rolls a successful saving
throw vs. spell, the caster learns nothing about that particular creature
from the casting. Certain magical devices negate the power of the
Know Alignment spell. Evil creatures will glow red, neutrals blue, and
friendly creatures will glow green for a brief period.

Resist Fire and Cold (Alteration)

Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 5
When this spell is placed upon a creature by a priest, the
creatures body is toughened to withstand heat and cold. Complete
immunity to mild conditions (standing naked in the snow or
reaching into an ordinary fire to pluck out a note) is gained. The
recipient can somewhat resist intense heat or cold (whether natural
or magical in origin), such as red-hot charcoal, a large amount of
burning oil, flametongue swords, fire storms, fireballs, meteor
swarms, red dragon’s breath, frostbrand swords, ice storms, wands
of frost, or white dragon’s breath. In all of these cases, the
temperature affects the creature to some extent. The recipient has
all damage sustained by fire or cold reduced by 50%.

Silence, 15’ Radius (Alteration)

Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 15-foot-radius sphere
Duration: 2 rounds/level Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 5
Upon casting this spell, complete silence prevails in the affected area.
All sound is stopped: conversation is impossible and spells cannot be
cast. Each creature in the area must make a saving throw Vs Spell at -5;
if the save is failed then they are silenced for the duration of the spell.
This spell does not continue to affect the area after being cast; only
those in the area at the time of the casting are affected by the silence.

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Slow Poison (Necromancy)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
When this spell is placed upon a poisoned individual, it greatly
slows the effects of venom, actually neutralising all but the most
deadly poisons.

Spiritual Hammer (Invocation)

Range: 10 yards/level Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 3 rounds + 1 round/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 5
By calling upon his deity, the caster of a Spiritual Hammer spell
brings into existence a magical hammer. The priest for the duration
of the spell may use the magic weapon. It strikes as a magical
weapon with a bonus of +1 for every six experience levels (or
fraction) of the spellcaster, up to a total of +3 to the attack roll and
+3 to the damage roll for a 13th-level caster. The base damage
inflicted when it scores a hit is exactly the same as a normal war
hammer, Id 4+1.

Priest Spells – level 3

Animate Dead (Necromancy)
Range: 10 yards Area of Effect: Special
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1 round
The effects of this spell are identical to the 5th-level wizard spell
Animate Dead.

Call Lightning (Alteration)

Range: 0 Area of Effect: 360-foot radius
Duration: 1 turn/level Saving Throw: 1/2
Casting Time: 1 turn
When a Call Lightning spell is cast, it must be cast outside,
otherwise it will not work. The caster is able to call down bolts of
lightning. The caster can call down one bolt per turn. The spell has a
duration of one turn per caster level. Each bolt causes 2-8 points of
electrical damage, plus an additional 1d8 points for each of the
caster’s experience levels. Thus, a 4th-level caster calls down a 6d8
bolt (2d8 + 4d8). The bolt of lightning flashes down in a vertical
stroke at any of the priest’s enemies. The caster does not choose the
targets of the spell, though the lighting will not strike any of his allies.

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 Dispel Magic (Abjuration)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 30-foot cube
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 6
The effects of this spell are identical to the 3rd-level wizard spell
Dispel Magic.

Glyph of Wardlng (Abjuration, Evocation)

Range: Touch Area of Effect: Special
Duration: Permanent until Saving Throw: Special
discharged
Casting Time: Special
A Glyph of Warding is a powerful inscription, magically drawn to
prevent unauthorised or hostile creatures from passing, entering, or
opening. It can be used to guard a small bridge, to ward an entry,
or as a trap on a chest or box. Any creature violating the warded
area is subject to the magic it stores. A successful saving throw vs.
spell enables the creature to escape the effects of the glyph. When
the spell is cast, the priest weaves a tracery of faintly glowing lines
around the warding sigil. When the glyph is activated, it deals 1-4
points of electrical damage per level of the caster to the victim.
Hold Animal (Enchantment/Charm)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 2 rounds/level Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 5
This spell holds animals rigidly immobile and in place. Only
normal and giant-sized animals are affected by this spell. Monsters
such as wyverns, ankhegs, and carrion crawlers do not count as
animals. The effect is cantered on the creature selected by the
caster. Every enemy within 5 feet of the target is also affected.
Those who succeed on their saving throws are totally unaffected by
the spell. Held creatures cannot move or speak, but they remain
aware of events around them and can use abilities not requiring
motion or speech. Being held does not prevent the worsening of
the subjects’ condition due to wounds, disease, or poison.

Invisibility Purge (Divination)

Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 30 foot radius
Duration: instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 8
Any invisible creatures within the area of effect have their
invisibility dispelled. This includes creatures that are in Sanctuary,
Improved Invisibility, Shadow Door, Invisibility, etc.

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Miscast Magic (Enchantment/Charm)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 1 turn Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 5
Any spell-casting creature that is affected by this spell has its
casting ability severely impaired. When the creature attempts to cast
a spell it has an 80% chance of failure. A creature can save vs. spell
to avoid the affect, but does so at –2.
Protection from Fire (Abjuration)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Special Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 6
The effect of a Protection From Fire spell differs according to the
recipient of the magic – either the caster or some other creature. In
either case, the spell lasts no longer than one turn per caster level.
When the spell is cast it confers complete invulnerability to normal
fires (torches, bonfires, oil fires, and the like) and significant resistance
to exposure to magical fires such as fiery dragon breath, spells such
as burning hands, fireball, fire seeds, fire storm, flame strike, meteor
swarm, hell hound or pyrohydra breath, etc., absorbing 80% of all the
damage dealt by such magical sources.
Remove Curse (Abjuration)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: Special
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: Special
Casting Time: 6
Upon casting this spell, the priest is usually able to remove a
curse on an object, on a person, or in the form of some undesired
sending or evil presence. Note that the Remove Curse spell does not
remove the curse from a cursed shield, weapon, or suit of armour,
for example, although the spell typically enables the person afflicted
with any such cursed item to get rid of it. Certain special curses may
not be countered by this spell, or may be countered only by a caster
of a certain level or more.

Remove Paralysis (Abjuration)

Range: 10 yards/level Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 6
By the use of this spell, the priest can free one creature from the
effects of any paralysation or from related magic (such as ghoul
touch, or a Hold spell).

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 Rigid Thinking (Enchantment/Charm)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 person or mammal
Duration: 24 turns Saving Throw: Neg.
Casting Time: 5
The target of this spell must make a saving throw vs spell or come
under its effects. When under the effects of the Rigid Thinking Spell, the
victim will randomly wander, attack the nearest person, or stand confused.
Strength of One (Alteration)
Range: 0 Area of Effect: The party
Duration: 1 turn Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 3
When this spell is cast, the entire party is given an 18/76
Strength. If a party member has a strength higher than this (either
naturally, or through a magical item) then his Strength is lowered to
18/76. The spell lasts for a single turn, whereupon everyone’s
strength returns to normal.

Priest Spells – Level 4

Animal Summoning I (Conjuration, Summoning)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: Special
Duration: Special Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 24 turns
By means of this spell, the caster calls up to eight animals that
have 4 Hit Dice or less, of whatever sort the caster names when the
summoning is made. The type of animals that come depend on the
surroundings of the caster at the time of the spell.
Cure Serious Wounds (Necromancy)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration:Permanent Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 5
This spell is a more potent version of the Cure Light Wounds spell.
When laying his hand upon a creature, the priest heals 17 points of
wound or other injury damage to the creatures body. This healing
cannot affect noncorporeal, nonliving, or extraplanar creatures.
Free Action (Abjuration, Enchantment)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: 1 turn/level Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 7
This spell enables the creature touched to move and attack
normally for the duration of the spell, even under the influence of
magic that impedes movement (such as Web or Slow spells) or
while under water. It even negates or prevents the effects of
Paralysis and Hold spells. Under water, the individual moves at
normal (surface) speed and inflicts full damage, even with such

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smashing weapons as flails, hammers, and maces, provided that
the weapon is wielded in the hand rather than hurled. The Free
Action spell does not, however, allow water breathing without
further appropriate magic.
Neutralise Poison (Necromancy)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 1
When this spell is placed on a poisoned individual, it immediately
neutralises any poison and restores 1 to 8 lost hit points.
Priest Spells – Level 5
Animal Summoning II (Conjuration/Summoning)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: Special
Duration: 24 turns Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 8
By means of this spell, the caster calls up to six animals that
have 8 Hit Dice or less. Only animals within range of the caster at
the time the spell is cast will come. The animals summoned aid the
caster by whatever means they possess, staying until the spell
duration expires. Only normal or giant animals can be summoned;
fantastic animals or monsters cannot be summoned by this spell
(no chimera, dragons, gorgons, manticores, etc.).
Cure Critical Wounds (Necromancy)
Range: Touch Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Casting Time: 8
The Cure Critical Wounds spell is a very potent version of the
cure light wounds spell. The priest lays his hand upon a creature
and heals up to 27 points of damage from wounds or other
damage. The spell does not affect creatures without corporeal
bodies, those of extraplanar origin, or those not living.
Flame Strike (Evocation)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: 1/2
Casting Time: 8
When the priest calls down a Flame Strike spell, a vertical
column of fire roars downward in the exact location called for by
the caster. The target must roll a saving throw vs. spell. Failure
means the creature sustains 8d8 points of damage; otherwise, the
damage is halved.
Raise Dead (Necromancy)
Range: Sight of caster Area of Effect: 1 person
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: Special
Casting Time: 1 round

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 When the priest casts a Raise Dead spell, he can restore life to a
dwarf, gnome, half-elf, halfling, elf or human. Note that the body of
the person must be whole, or otherwise missing parts are still
missing when the person is brought back to life. The person has but
1 hit point when raised and must regain the rest by natural healing
or curative magic.

Equipment

T
he Inventory Page and how to equip items are discussed in the
interface section on Inventory in the Game Guide. (See Tables
8a-b on page 142 for listings of Armour Class bonuses.)
Armour
Full Plate Armour: The best (and heaviest) armour a
warrior can buy, both in appearance and protection. The
perfectly fitted interlocking plates are specially angled to
deflect arrows and blows, and the entire suit is carefully adorned
with rich engraving and embossed detail.
Plate Mail: A combination of chain armour with metal
plates covering the vital areas such as the chest, abdomen
and groin. The weight is distributed over the whole body
and the whole thing is held together with buckles and straps.
Splint Mail: A variant of banded mail in which the metal
strips are applied vertically to the backing of chain, leather,
or cloth rather than horizontally as in banded mail. Since the
human body does not swivel in mid-torso as much as it
flexes back to front, splint mail is more restrictive in battle.
Chain Mail: Chain mail is made of interlocking metal rings.
It is always worn over a layer of padded fabric or soft leather
to prevent chafing and lessen the impact of blows.
Studded Leather: This armour is made from leather (not
hardened as with normal leather armour) reinforced with
close-set metal rivets.
Leather: This armour is made of leather hardened in
boiling oil and then shaped into breastplate and shoulder
protectors. The remainder of the suit is fashioned from more
flexible, somewhat softer materials.

Shields
Large Shield: Also known as the kite or tower shield, this
massive metal or wooden shield reaches nearly from the chin
to the toe of the user. It must be firmly fastened to the
forearm and the shield hand must firmly grip it at all times.

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 Medium Shield: This shield is carried in the same manner
as a small shield. Medium shields are usually made of metal,
range from 3’-4’ in diameter, and can be of any shape, from
round to square to a spread dragon’s wings. A typical medieval
shield resembles a triangle with one point facing downward.
Small Shield: The small shield is usually round and is
carried on the forearm, gripped with the shield hand. Its light
weight as compared to a medium shield permits the user to
carry other items in that hand, although he cannot wield or carry
another weapon.
Buckler: Bucklers are slightly smaller versions of small
shields.

Miscellaneous Wearables
Amulets: Amulets are jewelry (sometimes magical) that
are worn around the neck, suspended from a chain. The type
of chain that comes with an amulet generally increases the
items aesthetic value, not its magical properties (if any). Only one
amulet can be worn at a time
Boots: Boots are normally hand-made by cobblers.
Common boots are made by using a form, but good boots
are designed for the foot of an individual.
Bracers: These thick bands of metal or leather are
strapped, belted, or tied to a characters forearm.
Cloak: Cloaks can be made in every possible shape with
just about every type of fabric. The most common forms are
a circular piece of fabric with a hole in the centre for the head,
and fabric draped from neck, connected by a chain, brooch,
cord, or pins.
Gauntlets: Gauntlets are armoured gloves. They can be
made of leather, metal plates, or chain mail. Every suit of
armour is assumed to include gauntlets of an appropriate
type. Magical gauntlets tend to be finer, lighter, and more easily
worn than normal varieties.
Girdles: Girdles are similar to belts. Unlike belts, girdles are
not used to hold up pants and dungarees, but to carry
pouches, scabbards, and the like.
Helmets: Helmets, made of reinforced leather or metal,
cover most of the head, save the face and neck.
Necklace: A necklace is a piece of ornamental metal
jewelry usually made of silver, gold, platinum, or other
precious metal, and adorned with gems. A necklace is always
worn on the neck and can be of any length.
Rings: Rings are worn on the fingers and often carry an
enchantment. One can be worn on each hand.

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 Weapons
See Tables 6&7 on pg 141 for listing of weapon cost, type,
restrictions, damage, speed factors, and size.
Bows:
Short Bow: This is the earliest form of bow. Short bows
are about 5 feet long. As the years passed, attempts were
made to increase bow ranges. Bows were either made
longer or flexibility was increased with no change to the length. The
former resulted in the long bow.
Long Bow: The long bow is similar to the short bow,
except that the bow is about as long as the archer is tall,
usually 6 or more feet. It has better range than the short bow.
Composite Bow: Composite bows are long bows made
from more than one type of material. This gives greater
flexibility, and thus better range. These were developed after
the normal long bow.
Arrows: The flight arrow, as its name implies, is built for
distance. These are lightweight arrows and are often used
for hunting. Most of these arrows are made of ash or birch
and are 30 to 40 inches long.

Spiked Weapons:
Flail: The flail is a sturdy wooden handle attached to an
iron rod, a wooden rod with studs, or a studded iron ball.
Between the handle and its implement is either a hinge or
chain link.
Morning Star: The morning star is a wooden shaft
topped with a metal head made up of a spiked iron sheath.
Morning stars have an overall length of about four feet.
Some such weapons have a round, oval, or cylindrical shaped
head studded with spikes. Extending from most morning star
heads, regardless of design, is a long point for thrusting.

Small Swords:
Dagger: The typical dagger has a pointed, double-edged
blade, as opposed to a knife, which has a single edge and is
a bit shorter.
Short Sword: The short sword is the first type of sword
to come into existence. A short sword has a double-edged
blade about two feet long. The sword tip is usually pointed,
ideal for thrusting.
Throwing Dagger: Similar to a dagger, but balanced for
throwing.
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Large Swords:
Long Sword: These swords are usually referred to as
doubled-edged swords, war swords, or military swords.
In many cases, the long sword has a single-edged blade.
There is no single version of the long sword, and they vary in
length from 35 inches to 47 inches. In the latter case, the blade is
known to take up as much as 40 inches of the total length. Most
long swords have a double-edged blade and a
sharp point at the tip. Despite the tip, the long sword is designed for
slashing, not thrusting.
Two-Handed Sword: The two-handed sword is a
derivative of the long sword. The blade was lengthened to 6
feet or more, and the handle extended. Two hands became
necessary to properly swing the sword.
Bastard Sword: Also known as the hand-and-a-half
sword, the bastard sword derives its name from the fact that
it is halfway between the two-handed sword and the long
sword. The bastard sword has a double-edged blade and a long
grip. The overall length of the bastard sword ranges between four
feet and four feet ten inches.

Axes:
Throwing Axe: The hand axe or throwing axe is also
known as a hatchet. The axe blade has a sharp steel tip,
counterbalanced by a pointed fluke. The short handle has a
point of the bottom and the head may have a spike on the top.
Battle Axe: The most common version of the battle axe
is a stout pole about four feet in length with a single-edged,
trumpet-shaped blade mounted on one end. Battle axes are
also called broad axes.

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 Blunt Weapons:
Club: Most clubs are stout, hardwood sticks, narrow at
the grip and wider at the end. This simple weapon has been
used since mankind first began using tools. Anyone can find
a good stout piece of wood and swing it; hence the club’s
widespread use.
Mace: The mace is a direct descendant of the basic
club, being a wooden shaft with a stone or iron head. The
head design varies; some being flanged, and others having
pyramidal knobs.
Quarterstaff: The quarterstaff is a length of wood
ranging six to nine feet in length. High quality staves are
made of stout oak and are shod with metal at both ends.
The quarterstaff is wielded with both hands.
Warhammer: The warhammer is consists of a wooden
or metal shaft capped with a metal head. The head is
usually a block, a cylinder, or a wedge with a flat or slightly
rounded face. The heft of the head makes the hammer ideal for
swinging and crushing through armours of all types.

Missile Weapons:
Crossbow: A crossbow is a bow mounted crosswise on
a wooden or metal stock. The crossbow fires a quarrel (also
called a bolt).
Quarrel: A quarrel (also ‘bolt’) is the ammunition fired by
crossbows regardless of the weapons size.
Sling: The basic sling consists of a leather or fabric strap
with a pouch for holding a missile. The weapon is held by
both ends of the strap and twirled around the wielder’s
head. When top speed is attained, the missile is launched by
releasing one of the straps ends.
Bullet: A bullet is a pellet of hardened clay or lead cast
specifically as ammunition for the sling.
Dart: The dart is a small missile weapon that is thrown
rather than fired from a bow or other launcher.

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Polearms:
Spear: One of man’s earliest weapons, dating back to
the most primitive of times, the first spears were wooden
sticks sharpened at one end. When man mastered metals,
spearheads were made from iron and steel.
Halberd: The halberd consists of a cleaver-like axe blade
mounted on a staff averaging six feet in length. The axe
blade is balanced at the rear with a fluke, and surmounted
by a sharp spike. A halberd combines features of both a spear and
an axe.

Magical Items and Treasure

Treasure can come in many forms. The value of money is readily
apparent. It gives characters wealth, and with wealth comes power
and influence. However, there are other treasures, very desirable
ones, that your characters will not want to sell or give away. These
are the magical items that your characters find and use. Although at
high level (beyond that achievable in Baldur’s Gate) priests and
wizards can actually make magical items, it is far more common for
characters to find these items during adventures.
Magical items are powerful aids. With them, characters can gain
bonuses in combat, cast spells with a mere word, withstand the
fiercest fire, and perform feats impossible by any other means. Not
all magical items are beneficial, however. Some are cursed, the
result of faulty construction or rarely the deliberate handiwork of a
mad or evil wizard.
Magical Weapons: There can be a magical version of nearly any
type of normal weapon. By far the most common magical weapons
are swords and daggers. A magical weapon typically gives a +1 or
greater bonus, increasing a characters chance to hit and cause
damage. Perhaps magical swords are quicker on the attack, or maybe
they’re sharper than normal steel. Whatever the reason, magical
weapons give results far beyond those of even the finest-crafted non-
magical blade. A rare few weapons have even greater powers.
When you find a magical weapon, more than likely you will not
know its properties. These properties must be learned through
research and spells. Identify spells and characters’ lore abilities can
provide information about the properties of the weapon.

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 Magical Armour: Enchanted armours are the complements to
magical weapons. These armours have a +1 or better bonus to
their normal Armour Class, being made stronger and finer than non-
magical armour. In rare instances, armour may possess
extraordinary powers. Although such armours are generally finely
made and elaborately engraved, characters can discover the
armours’ powers only by the same methods they use to discover
the powers of magical weapons.
Potions and Oils: Magical potions and oils are easily
found but hard to identify. They come in small bottles, jugs,
pots, or vials and clearly radiate magic. The basic function of
a potion may be apparent, but whether it is truly beneficial or not is
only evident in the drinking. The results can be quite varied. The
imbiber may discover he can resist great heat or cold, heal grievous
wounds, or fearlessly face the greatest dangers. He may also find
himself hopelessly smitten by the first creature he sees, or struck
dead by a powerful poison.
Scrolls: Scrolls are a convenience and luxury for spell
casters. By reading the incantation written on the pages, the
priest or wizard can instantly cast that spell. He does not
need to memorise it. Some scrolls are usable by all characters,
granting special but temporary protections from various dangers –
evil creatures, werewolves, powerful beings from other planes, etc.
Other scrolls bear hideous or humourous curses, brought into effect
at the time of their use. The only way to know what a scroll
contains is to Identify its contents. For scrolls containing wizard
spells, this requires the use of a Read Magic spell, which can be
cast at will by all mages. Wizards can also use wizard scrolls to
inscribe spells into their spellbooks. This option appears on the
items information page.
Rings: Magical rings are usable by many different classes
and can bestow a wide range of powers. As with all magical
items, some rings can harm your character. Cursed rings can
be removed only with the aid of spells.
Wands, Staves, and Rods: These are among the most
powerful of magical items. Wands are commonly used by
wizards, allowing them to cast powerful spells with the flick
of a wrist. Staves can be used by either a wizard or a priest. Staves
can be truly destructive, dwarfing even the potential of a wand.
Rods are the rarest of all, the accoutrements of witch-kings and
great lords. With rods come dominance and power. Few of these
items are cursed or dangerous to handle. Wands, staves, and rods
are not limitless in their power. Each use drains them slightly, using
up a charge.
Miscellaneous Magic: Miscellaneous magical items are
where the true variety of magical treasures lies. Each item

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possesses some unique power. There are girdles that grant great
strength, caps to make your character smarter, rare tomes that
increase ability scores, and much, much more.

Listed below is a smattering of magical items that I have

come across in my travels and conversations. There are
undoubtably more scattered all about the Sword Coast, but
I’d be cautious when hunting for these items. Those who
wield them are that much more powerful. –Elminster

Magical Items in Baldur’s Gate

Battle axe +2: ‘Battleaxe of Mauletar’
During the Tethyr civil war, the Battleaxe of Mauletar was in the
possession of the house of Ossyind. This noble family was
betrayed while trying to flee the country, and Mauletar, lead guard
and personal friend, took up the axe and sacrificed himself to buy
enough time for his companions to flee. His battle cry was favoured
by the gods, and was echoed across the lands as a symbol of
devoted friendship and loyalty. Thus, the magical axe was used to
uphold these virtues, to be used against those who lacked honour
and courage.
Boots of speed: ‘The Paws of the Cheetah’
These enchanted boots were once the property of a deadly
assassin fond of chasing down his prey. He moved with such
speed that his targets often didn’t have the opportunity to respond,
even on horseback. Over time the assassin’s fame spread, and
though his name was never known, all knew to fear the words last
heard by his victims: “you can hide, but you cannot run!”
Bracers of defence ac 6: ‘Bracers to the Death’
These bracers were held for decades by an undefeated
gladiator, and found extensive use in arena combat. The death of
this champion marked the disappearance of this magical item, but
rumours persist that they are used to this day in competitive
combat across the lands.
Cloak of the wolf: ‘Relair’s Mistake’
Great irony surrounds the creation of this magical cloak. Relair
was a mage who overestimated the amount of control he had over
magic. In the course of creating this garment, he apparently inflicted
lycanthropy upon himself. The wearer can change form whenever
he wishes. Relair was not so lucky.

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 Gauntlets of dexterity: ‘The Brawling Hands’
This pair of gauntlets was likely developed in Kara-Tur to aid
masters of the martial arts. Legends speak of such masters from
the Far East bringing these items with them on their journeys,
though details remain sketchy.
Girdle of bluntness: ‘Destroyer of the Hills’
Having lost friends and loved ones to a series of raids by hill
giants, Garrar The Powerful made it his mission to cleanse his
homeland of them. It is not known where he acquired this item, but
with it he single handedly dispatched dozens of the creatures, all
the while protected from the blows of their clubs. The remaining
giants fled to neighbouring lands; lands that lacked a similar
champion and did not fare as well.
Helm of defence: ‘Gift of Peace’
Prized for its noble origin as much as for its benefits to the
wearer, this helm was originally intended to be a simple gift. There
was no great crisis at hand, nor dangerous evil to be overthrown;
just a wish for friend to give a gift to another. It could just have
easily been a good book or bottle of wine, but adventurers are
eminently more practical in their gift giving. The helm has seen
many great battles since its creation, but the simple virtue at its core
is what has always been remembered.
Light crossbow of speed: ‘The Army Scythe’
A short-lived outpost of humans in the Frozen Forest unearthed
this weapon, and many others, from the ruins of an ancient
settlement deep within that cold land. Never knowing the names of
their extinct benefactors, the colonists used these weapons to carve
a large territory for themselves, though in the end it was for naught.
Crushed by a superior number of hobgoblins, these unfortunate
souls have joined the ancients in their anonymity.
Plate mail +1: ‘Fallorain’s Plate’
Captain Fallorain, leader of Calimshan’s 12th Cavalry Brigade,
wore this enchanted armour for the last time during the Battle of the
Spider Swamp. There he lost his life and army trying to drive an
unrecorded evil from the area.
Ring of protection +1: ‘Ring of the Princes’
This ring and several of its type were originally crafted to protect
the sons of King Castter De’wess, though who created the rings is
unknown. History records that the rings remained within that family
for at least 13 generations, though they were all apparently lost
within the space of one. Enmity between the King and the family of
the creator may be to blame.

These are merely a small portion of the many magical items

I have heard tales of. You’ll have to find– and identify– the
rest yourself! –Volo
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Tables
Table 1: Character Ability Scores
Strength Dexterity Constitution
Ability Score Hit Adj Dam. Adj Wt Allow Bashing % Miss. Att Adj AC Adj HP Adj Res. Surv.
3 -3 -1 5 3 -3 +4 -2 40
4 -2 -1 15 4 -2 +3 -1 45
5 -2 -1 15 4 -1 +2 -1 50
6 -1 0 30 6 0+1 -1 55
7 -1 0 30 6 0 0 0 60
8 0 0 50 8 0 0 0 60
9 0 0 50 8 0 0 0 70
10 0 0 70 10 0 0 0 75
11 0 0 70 10 0 0 0 80
12 0 0 90 12 0 0 0 85
13 0 0 90 12 0 0 0 90
14 0 0 120 14 0 0 0 92
15 0 0 120 14 0 -1 +1 94
16 0 +1 150 16 +1 -2 +2 96
17 +1 +1 170 18 +2 -3 +2(+3) 98
18 +1 +2 200 20 +2 -4 +2(+4) 100
18/01-50 +1 +3 220 25 - - - -
18/51-75 +2 +3 250 30 - - - -
18/76-90 +2 +4 280 35 - - - -
18/91-99 +2 +5 320 40 - - - -
18/00 +3 +6 400 45 - - - -
19 +3 +7 500 50 +3 -4 +2(+5) 100
20 +3 +8 600 55 +3 -4 +2(+5) 100
21 +4 +9 700 60 +4 -5 +2(+6) 100
22 +4 +10 800 65 +4 -5 +2(+6) 100
23 +5 +11 1000 70 +4 -5 +2(+6) 100
24 +6 +12 1200 75 +5 -6 +2(+7) 100
25 +7 +14 1600 80 +5 -6 +2(+7) 100

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 Strength
Hit Adj: Added or subtracted from the attack roll during combat.
A positive number makes the opponent easier to hit.
Dam Adj: Added or subtracted from the damage inflicted by a
successful melee attack.
Wt Allow: The characters weight allowance -- how much they
can carry without being encumbered.
Bashing %: This is the percentage chance a character has to
bash open a locked door or chest.
Dexterity
Miss. Att Adj: Added or subtracted from the to hit roll when using
a ranged weapon. A positive number makes the opponent easier to
hit.
AC Adj: Added or subtracted from the characters AC. Since a
lower AC is better, a lower or more negative number is better.
Constitution
HP Adj: This number is added to the Hit Point roll a character
makes when going up a level or when starting the game. Numbers
in parenthesis are for warriors only.
Res. Surv.: The percentage chance the character will successfully
be Resurrected or Raised from the dead by magic.

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 Intelligence Wisdom Charisma
Ability Spell % to Max # Lore Mag Bonus % Spell Lore Reaction
Score Level Learn Spell Spells/Level Bonus Def Adj Spells Failure Bonus Adj
3 - - - -20 -3 - 50 -20 -5
4 - - - -20 -2 - 45 -20 -4
5 - - - -20 -1 - 40 -20 -3
6 - - - -20 -1 - 35 -20 -2
7 - - - -10 -1 - 30 -10 -1
8 - - - -10 0 - 25 -10 0
9 4th 35 6 -10 0 0 20 -10 0
10 5th 40 7 0 0 0 15 0 0
11 5th 45 7 0 0 0 10 0 0
12 6th 50 7 0 0 0 5 0 0
13 6th 55 9 0 0 1st 0 0 +1
14 7th 60 9 0 0 1st 0 0 +2
15 7th 65 11 +3 +1 2nd 0 +3 +3
16 8th 70 11 +5 +2 2nd 0 +5 +4
17 8th 75 14 +7 +3 3rd 0 +7 +4
18 9th 85 18 +10 +4 4th 0 +10 +5
19 9th 95 All +12 +4 1st,4th 0 +12 +8
20 9th 96 All +15 +4 2nd,4th 0 +15 +9
21 9th 97 All +20 +4 3rd,5th 0 +20 +10
22 9th 98 All +25 +4 4th,5th 0 +25 +11
23 9th 99 All +30 +4 5th,5th 0 +30 +12
24 9th 100 All +35 +4 6th,6th 0 +35 +13
25 9th 100 All +40 +4 6th,7th 0 +40 +14

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 Intelligence
Spell Level: The highest level of spells a wizard with this
intelligence can comprehend and use.
% to Learn Spell: The percentage chance that a wizard can learn a
spell and add it to his spellbook. This number also represents the
wizard’s chance to successfully cast a spell from a scroll. For every
spell level higher than the wizard can comprehend, the wizard
receives a –10% penalty. For example, a wizard who can cast 3rd-
level spells trying to use a 5th-level spell scroll, has a –20% penalty.
Max # Spells/Level: This is the maximum number of spells that a
wizard can have in his spell book per level of spell. That is, a 3rd-
level wizard with an Intelligence of 16 could learn a maximum of 11
1st-level and 11 2nd-level spells.
Lore Bonus: This bonus is added to the characters Lore ability.
This is cumulative with the Lore bonus for Wisdom.
Wisdom:
Mag Def Adj: Applies to saving throws against magical spells that
attack the mind.
Bonus Spells: This is the number of additional spells a priest
receives for exceptional Wisdom. The bonus spells are cumulative as
you move down the table. Thus, a priest with a 17 in Wisdom gains
two 1st-, two 2nd-, and one 3rd-level spell as bonuses to their normal
spellcasting abilities. These spells become available only when the
priest can normally access spells of the appropriate level.
% Spell Failure: The chance that a spell attempt by a priest or druid
character will fail before being successfully cast.
Lore Bonus: This bonus is added to the characters Lore ability.
This is cumulative with the Lore bonus for Intelligence.
Charisma
Reaction Adj: This is the penalty or bonus due the character when
dealing with NPCs or intelligent creatures.
For encounter reactions, the computer generates a number
between 8 and 12, and then applies the modifier. The results
indicate the reaction of the encounter to your party:
1-7: Hostile reaction
8-14: Neutral reaction
15-20: Friendly reaction

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Table 2: Thieving Ability Modifiers

Race Dexterity Pick Pickets (15) Open Locks (10) Detect Traps (5) Stealth (10)
(Move Silently/ Hide in Shadows)

Dwarf - +10 +15 -

Elf +5 -5 - +10
Gnome - +5 +10 +5
Half Elf +10 - - +5
Halfling +5 +5 +5 +15
9 -15 -10 -10 -20
10 -10 -5 -10 -15
11 -5 - -5 -10
12 - - - -5
13-15 - - - -
16 - +5 - -
17 +5 +10 - +5
18 +10 +15 +5 +10
19 +15 +20 +10 +15
20 +20 +25 +15 +18
21 +25 +30 +20 +20
22 +30 +35 +25 +23
23 +35 +40 +30 +25
24 +40 +45 +35 +30
25 +45 +50 +40 +35

* The numbers in parentheses reflect the base ability of a 1st-level thief before racial/Dexterity
modifiers are applied.

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 Table 3a-d: Experience Tables
3a. Warriors 3b. Rogue
Level Fighter Paladin/Ranger Hit Dice (d10) Level Thief/Bard Hit Dice (d6)
1 0 0 1 1 0 1
2 2,000 2,250 2 2 1,250 2
3 4,000 4,500 3 3 2,500 3
4 8,000 9,000 4 4 5,000 4
5 16,000 18,000 5 5 10,000 5
6 32,000 36,000 6 6 20,000 6
7 64,000 75,000 7 7 40,000 7
8 125,000 150,000 8 8 70,000 8

3c. Priests 3d. Wizards

Level Cleric Druid Hit Dice (d8) Level Wizard Hit Dice (d4)
1 0 0 1 1 0 1
2 1,500 2,000 2 2 2,500 2
3 3,000 4,000 3 3 5,000 3
4 6,000 7,500 4 4 10,000 4
5 13,000 12,500 5 5 20,000 5
6 27,500 20,000 6 6 40,000 6
7 55,000 35,000 7 7 60,000 7
8 110,000 60,000 8 8 90,000 8

Table 4: Colours of the Schools of Magic

Specialist School Spell Effect Colorations Opposition School*

Abjurer Abjuration Green Alteration
Transmuter Alteration Blue Abjuration, Necromancy
Conjurer Conjuration/Summoning Orange Divination
Diviner Divination White/Pearl Conjuration/Summoning
Enchanter Enchantment/Charm Magenta Invocation
Illusionist Illusion Multicolored Necromancy
Invoker Invocation Red Enchartment/Charm,
Conjuration/Summoning

Necromancer Necromancy Ice/Blue Illusion

* The opposition schools are the schools of magic that the

specialist cannot comprehend or cast spells from.

140 ™
Tables 5a-c: Spell Progression

5a. Wizard
level 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 1 - - - - - - - -
2 2 - - - - - - - -
3 2 1 - - - - - - -
4 3 2 - - - - - - -
5 4 2 1 - - - - - -
6 4 2 2 - - - - - -
7 4 3 2 1 - - - - -

Note: Specialist Wizards get one extra spell per level but are
prohibited from learning spells of their opposition schools (see spell
descriptions and Table 4 for opposing schools).

5b. Priest /
Druid Level 1 2 3 4 5 6* 7**
1 1 - - - - - -
2 2 - - - - - -
3 2 1 - - - - -
4 3 2 - - - - -
5 3 3 1 - - - -
6 3 3 2 - - - -
7 3 3 2 1 - - -
8 3 3 3 2 - - -

Note: Priests with high Wisdom receive additional spells.

*usable by priests with 17 or greater wisdom
** usable by priests with 18 or greater wisdom

5c. Bard
Level 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - - - - - -
2 1 - - - - -
3 2 - - - - -
4 2 1 - - - -
5 3 1 - - - -
6 3 2 - - - -
7 3 2 1 - - -
8 3 3 1 - - -

™
™
141
 Table 6: Melee Weapons

Weapon 1 or 2 handed Type1 Speed Factor3 Damage Usable by3

Arrow – p – 1-6 –
Bolt – p – 1-10 –
Battle Axe 1 s 7 1-8 F,R,P,B
Dagger/ 1 p 2 1-4 F,R,P,T,B,M,D
Throwing Dagger
Club 1 b 4 1-6 F,R,P,T,B,C,D
Flail 1 b 7 1-6+1 F,R,P,B,C
Mace 1 b 7 1-6+1 F,R,P,B,C
Throwing Axe 1 s 4 1-6 F,R,P,B
Morning Star 1 b 7 2-8 F,R,P,B,C
Dart 1 p 2 1-3 F.R,P,M,T,B,D
Halberd 2 p/s 9 1-10 F,R,P,B
Quarterstaff 2 b 4 1-6 F,R,P,T,B,C,D
Sling Stone 1 b - 1-4+1 –
Bastard Sword 1 s 8 2-8 F,R,P,B
Long Sword 1 s 5 1-8 F,R,P,T,B
Short Sword 1 p 3 1-6 F,R,P,T,B
War Hammer 1 b 4 1-4+1 F,R,P,B
Spear 2 p 6 1-6 F,R,P,B,D
Two-Handed Sword 2 s 10 1-10 F,R,P,B
1
s = Slashing p = Piercing b = bludgeoning
2
Fighter, Ranger, Paladin, Cleric, Druid, Thief, Bard, Mage
3
See Table 7 for information on “ranged” or “missile” weapons

Table 7: Ranged Weapons

Weapon 1 or 2 ROF1 Speed Bonus Bonus Usable By
handed Factor to Hit to Damage
Composite Long Bow 2 2 7 +1 +2 F,R,P
Long Bow 2 2 8 +1 – F,R,P,B
Short Bow 2 2 6 – – F,R,P,T,B
Dagger/Throwing Dagger 1 2 2 – – F,R,P,M,B,T
Throwing Axe 1 1 4 – – F,R,P
Sling 1 1 6 – – F.R.P,T,B,C,D,M
Darts 1 3 2 – – F,R,P,T,B,M,D
Heavy Crossbow 2 1 10 – +2 F,R,P,B
Light Crossbow 2 1 7 – – F,R,P,B

1
ROF is Rate of Fire. This is the number of times per combat round that the weapon can be used.
2
Fighter, Ranger, Paladin, Cleric, Druid, Thief, Bard, Mage

142 ™
Tables 8a-b: Armour

8a. Armour Types

Armour Armour Class Usable By

Buckler (-1 modifier)* F,R,P,T,B,C,D
Small Shield (-1 modifier)* F,R,P,C
Medium Shield (-1 modifier)* F,R,P,C
Large Shield (-1 modifier)* F,R,P,C
Leather 8 F,R,P,T,B,C,D
Studded Leather 7 F,R,P,T,B,C,D
Chain mail 5 F,R,P,B,C
Splint mail 4 F,R,P,C
Plate Mail 3 F,R,P,C
Full Plate Armour 1 F,R,P,C

*Some shields are heavier than others and they offer increasingly better
protection. Here are the effects of shields in the game:
Buckler: gives a –1 to Armour Class but does not protect against
missile or piercing weapons.
Small Shield: gives –1 to Armour Class, but it does not protect against
missile weapons.
Medium Shield: gives –1 to Armour Class
Large Shield: gives –1 to Armour Class and -2 against missile weapons

8b. Armour vs. Weapon Types

Armour Slashing Piercing Bludgeoning

Leather armour 0 +2 0
Studded Leather -2 -1 0
Chain mail -2 0 +2
Splint Mail 0 -1 -2
Plate Mail -3 0 0
Full Plate -4 -3 0

™
143
 Tables 9a-b: Reputation/Reactions
9a. Starting Reputation

Alignment Starting Reputation

Lawful Good 12
Neutral Good 11
Chaotic Good 11
Lawful Neutral 10
Neutral 10
Chaotic Neutral 10
Lawful Evil 9
Neutral Evil 9
Chaotic Evil 8

9b. Effects of Actions on Reputation

Reputation Killing an Injuring an Stealing Killing a Giving money

Level innocent innocent Flaming Fist soldier to the church*
20 (hero) -10 -2 -1 -10 –
19 -10 -2 -1 -10 –
18 -9 -2 -1 -9 –
17 -8 -1 -1 -9 +1 (500)
16 -7 -1 -1 -9 +1 (400)
15 -6 -1 -1 -8 +1 (300)
14 -5 -1 -1 -8 +1 (300)
13 -5 -1 -1 -7 +1 (200)
12 -5 -1 -1 -7 +1 (200)
11 -4 -1 -1 -6 +1 (100)
10 (start) -4 -1 -1 -6 +1 (100)
9 -3 -1 -1 -5 +1 (100)
8 -2 -1 0 -5 +1 (100)
7 -2 -1 0 -4 +1 (100)
6 -2 -1 0 -3 +1 (200)
5 -2 -1 0 -2 +1 (200)
4 -1 0 0 -2 +1 (200)
3 -1 0 0 -1 +1 (300)
2 -1 0 0 -1 +1 (400)
1(villain) 0 0 0 0 +1 (500)

*The numbers in parentheses indicate the amount of gold pieces

that must be donated in order to increase reputation.

144 ™
9c. Reputation Reaction Adjustments

Reputation Effect
20 The party receives a +4 reaction adjustment
18-19 The party receives a +3 reaction adjustment
16-17 The party receives a +2 reaction adjustment
14-15 The party receives a +1 reaction adjustment
8-13 No adjustment
7 The party receives a -1 reaction adjustment
6 The party receives a -2 reaction adjustment
5 The party receives a -3 reaction adjustment. The party receives a -6 reaction adjustment. Whenever the
party enters a new area, there will be a 10% chance of a group of the Flaming Fist spawning in and moving
toward the party.
4 The party receives a -4 reaction adjustment. The party receives a -6 reaction adjustment. Whenever the
party enters a new area, there will be a 20% chance of a group of the Flaming Fist spawning and moving
toward the party.
3 The party receives a -5 reaction adjustment. Whenever the party enters a new area, there will be a 30%
chance of a group of the Flaming Fist spawning and moving toward the party.
2 The party receives a -6 reaction adjustment. Whenever the party enters a new area, there will be a 50%
chance of a group of the Flaming Fist spawning and moving toward the party.
1 The party receives a -7 reaction adjustment. Whenever the party enters a new area, a group of warriors
will spawn and move toward the party.
0 The player can no longer buy items. Whenever the party enters a new area, a group of warriors will spawn
and move toward the party. The player always receives a hostile reaction from NPC's.

™
145
 9d. NPC Reactions Toward Reputation

ALIGNMENT
Reputation Good Neutral Evil
1 Break Break Happy
2 Break Angry Happy
3 Angry Angry Happy
4 Angry Unhappy Happy
5 Angry Unhappy Happy
6 Unhappy Neutral Happy
7 Unhappy Neutral Neutral
8 Unhappy Neutral Neutral
9 Neutral Neutral Neutral
10 Neutral Neutral Neutral
11 Neutral Neutral Neutral
12 Neutral Neutral Neutral
13 Happy Neutral Unhappy
14 Happy Neutral Unhappy
15 Happy Neutral Unhappy
16 Happy Neutral Angry
17 Happy Neutral Angry
18 Happy Neutral Angry
19 Happy Unhappy Break
20 Happy Unhappy Break

146 ™
9e. Reputation Effect on Item Cost

Reputation Percentage cost of

item from base cost
20 -50%
19 -40%
18 -30%
17 -20%
16 -10%
15 10%
14 Neutral
13 Neutral
12 Neutral
11 Neutral
10 Neutral
9 +10%
8 +20%
7 +20%
6 +30%
5 +40%
4 +50%
3 +100%
2 Store will not
sell items

™
147
 Bioware Corp AI Programming
Credits Producer
Mark "Sailor Moon is my
b*tch" Darrah
Ray Muzyka
Black Isle Lead GUI Programmer
Studios Assistant Producer
Ben Smedstad
David "I'll be done with
BG and working on
A division of Interplay
MDK2 next week, honest"
Lead Designer Falkner
Division Director
James Ohlen - Director of
Feargus Urquhart
Writing and Design Multiplayer Programming
Producer Mark Brockington
Core Game Design
Chris Parker
James Ohlen LUA (command line)
Line Producer Scott Greig Programming
Doug Avery Ray Muzyka Implementation
Cameron Tofer
Lead Tester/ Quality Additional Design
Assurance Coordinator Lukas Kristjanson Additional AI Scripting
Erick Lujan Rob Bartel Mark Darrah
Matt Horvath James Ohlen
Lead Tester/ Data Testing Ross Gardner Don Yakielashek
Coordinator Justin Smith
Cory Nelson Lead Writer
Lukas Kristjanson Install Package
Senior Tester / Multiplayer Don Yakielashek
Testing Coordinator Additional Writers
Steve Bokkes James Ohlen Other Programming
Rob Bartel Stan Melax - Director of
Audio Director Matt "The Tube" Horvath Technology
Charles Deenen Gautam Karnik
Editing Debbie Greig
Marketing Ray Muzyka
Greg Peterson Art Director
Greg Bauman Interface Functional John Gallagher - Head of
Design Concept Art
Public Relations Scott Greig
Krys Card Ray Muzyka Lead Terrain Artist
Dean Andersen
Lead Programmer
Scott Greig - Director of Additional Terrain Artists
Programming Arnel Labarda
Kelly Goodine
Sound Programming and
Lead AI Scripting
John "The Evil Genius" Lead Texturing Artist
Winski Marcia Tofer (nee Olson)

Programming/Design, Additional Texturing

Game Support Russell Rice
Tools/Editors Andy Metcalf
Don "Da Crimper"
Yakielashek Lead Special Effects Artist
Russell "Whitey" Rice
Graphics Programming
Gilles Beauparlant Special Effects
Elben Schaefer
Core Game Programming
Dan Morris

148 ™
Lead Modeler Additional Data Entry and Interplay
Cass Scott Quality Assurance
Ross Gardner Productions
Modelers Richard Flierl
Elben Schaefers (and everyone else from VP of Development
Jeremy Melchior BioWare who has entered Trish June Wright
David Wilson bugs!)
Scott Dakus Director of Quality
Trent Oster Master o’ the Bugs Assurance:
Ben Smedstad Chad "Boogie" Allison
Scene Setup
Marcia Olson Manual Writing and QA Manager:
Russell Rice Compilation Steve "Captain" Victory
Dean Anderson Ray Muzyka
Lukas Kristjanson QA Project Supervisors:
Elben Schaefers
James Ohlen Erick "Vampire" Lujan
Cass Scott
Cory "Faerl" Nelson
(Thanks also to Greg
Art Processing Greg "Moose" Baumeister
Peterson, Chris Parker, and
Kalvin Lyle the folks at Wizards of the Marvic "Fury" Ambata
Coast.)
Graphic Designer QA Senior Testers:
Daniel Walker System Administration Stephen "Ice" Bokkes
David Hamel Dave "Junga" Simon
Portrait Art Brett Hardin Chad "Briareos" Nicholas
Mike Sass Dennis "Fragface" Presnell
Executive Producers Robert "Keyzer Soze" Lark
Additional Art Ray Muzyka
Scott "Get the hell out of Greg Zeschuk QA Testers:
the art department Scott!" (long live the Battleground: Matt "Gollem" Golembiewski
Greig Infinity!) Donnie Cornwell
Marc Holmes David "Golfer 2" Fleischmann
Mark "Fezzik" Pfeiffer
Director of Animation Jason "AC Hunter" Wang
Dave Hibbeln Scot "Sgt" Humphreys
Lesley "Zorker" Mathieson
Lead Technical Animator Damien Evans
Tobyn Manthorpe Mark "Brentnor" Holtzclaw
Edward Kang
Animators Steve Hearst
Steve Gilmour Rafael "Harlequin" Lopez
Tony de Waal Jay Nielsen
Henrik Vasquez David Parkyn
Rick Li Tom "The Major" Quast
Larry Stevens William "Dub" Saunders
David Hibbeln David Maldonado
Nicholas Hidalgo
Additional Animation
Dany Martinez
Chris Alexander
Edward "Maynard" Hyland
Brett Hardin
Primo "Proxi" Pulanco
Lead Data Entry and Daniel Levin
Quality Assurance Warren "Dutch" Schultz
Kevin Craig Ismael Quijano
Andrew Nobbs Erik "Silent Bob" Guenther
John Kirkland
Kevin "Mr. Kokomos" Osburn
Matt Tiffany

™
149
 Michael McCaa Foley Editing Audio Administration
Jonathan Jones Kevin Frayser Gloria Soto
Henry Lee Eight Ball Sound
Scott Warner
Music by
Mixed in
QA IS Manager: Michael Hoenig
Frank "Raven" Pimentel
Additional music and
QA IS Technicians: Supervision
Bill "So-lo" Delk Rick Jackson
Brian Luzietti/Ron Valdez at Interplay.
Tom "The Major" Quast
Christian "Damon" Peak Thanks to Shannon Wood
VO Casting / Supervision
Chris Borders from the Renaissance Fair
Compatibility Technicians:
for showing us around the
Derek Gibbs VO Direction fair.
John Parker Ginny McSwain
Louie Iturzaeta
Ed Robles Cast Video Services
Joshua Walters Neal Ross provided by
John Parker Amber Hood Dave Cravens
Louie Iturzaeta Bernadette Sullivan Stephen Miller
Ed Robles Bert Kramer Bill Stoudt
Bill Farmer Dan Williams
Sound Supervision Brian George
Charles Deenen David Prince http://www.interplay.com
Craig Duman Dee Bradly Baker
Dian Pershing Grand Webmaster
Design Assistance Robert "The Innkeeper"
Ed Gilbert
Stephen Bokkes Berzins
Eril Boen
Cory Nelson
Frank Welker
Lesley Mathieson Web Coordinator
Gregg Berger
Mark Pfeiffer Ingrid "Frenzie" Moon
Grey Delisle
Matt Golembiewski
Hamilton Camp
Hidi Shannon Lead Designer
Sound Design / Editing Garett "Jonny Finite"
Ann Scibelli (EFX) Jane Signer
Jason Marsdn Barnes
Tim Walston (EFX)
Harry Cohen (EFX) Jeff Bennett Assistant Webmaster
Eight Ball Sound Jennifer Darling Chad "Agnostik" Schroeder
Gregory Allen Jennifer Hale
Charles Deenen Jim Cummings Localisation
Larry Peacock Jim Meskimen
Adam Levenson John Mariano Localisation Coordinator
Digital Sound + Picture Melissa Disney Neil McKenna
Michael Bell (Interplay Europe)
Vocal Soundeffects Michael Gough
Localisation Assistance
Frank Welker Rob Paulsens
Tom Decker
Gloria Soto Kevin Michael Richerdson
(Interplay US)
Sly & Stu April Winchell

Foley Recordist VO Engineer

Cecilia Perma at West Julian Cook (Marc Graue
Productions Studio)

Foley Artist VO editors

Mike Salvetta Frank Szick
Kevin Frayser

Audio Mastering
Craig Duman
Tom Baker (Oasis)

Re-Recording Mixer
Charles Deenen

150 ™
Localisation Technicians (Foreign) Audio Recorded Creative Services
Justine Anacreonte by SPG Studios, Burbank,
(Interplay Europe) CA Traffic Manager
Julie Anne Garcia
Natalija Benjovski
(Interplay Europe) Senior Graphic Designer
André Horn Tracie D. Martin
(Interplay Europe)
Rafael Lopez
(Interplay US)

U.K. CREDITS
General Manager, Europe: Senior Producer:
Matt Findley Diarmid Clarke

Marketing Department Manager, Assistant Producer, Europe:

Europe: Scott Burfitt
Harvey Lee
PR:
Senior Product Manager, Europe: Doug Johns @ 1-Up Media
Chris East
Packaging:
Marketing & PR Assistant, Europe: A Creative Experience
Adrian Arnese

Special Thanks
(written by Chris Parker)
Marcus Hopkins - 3D Labs
Joe Kreiner - Cyrix
Chris Cox and Kevin Spross - STB
Brian Brunning - 3Dfx
John Carsey - S3
Brett Schnepf and Matt Ployhar - Microsoft
Jason Della Rocca - Matrox
Jay Stocki - nVidia
Steve Cox and Greg Rusu - AMD
Toby Herman (Leviticus) and BG Chronicles
Our other fan sites: Without your support we'd be lost. Thanks guys,
you all kick ass.
Mr. Ed Zeschuk (and Coca Cola!)
Summer Students: Graham "What flavor Squishy?" Jahns, Gautam Karnik
Brian Moore and the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IR AP)
National Research Council of Canada, for funding assistance in the
development of this game (for Bioware).

...and to the following (non BG team) folks at Interplay:

Reg Arnedo, Chris Avellone, Jeremy Barnes, "Jfinite", Julian Ridley,
Genevieve Ostergard, Jennifer Hendrix, Chuck Camps, Margo Engel,
Polly Tracy, John Wunder, Mike Pacholik, Paul Edelstein, John Price,
Kyle Shubel, and Aaron Brown.

™
151
 Index
A C Duration Spell 98
Ability Score 9, 85, 135-138 Dwarf 8, 84
Calendar 68
Abjurer 88, 140 Candlekeep 41
Action cursors 13-14 Carrion Crawler 62 E
AI 13, 18 Cast Spells 16, 79 Elf 8, 84
Alignment 9, 74, 89-91 Casting Time 76, 98 Elfsong Tavern, the 45
Ammunition 23 Chaotic Evil 74, 91 Elminster 57
Amn 38 Chaotic Good 74, 90 Enchanter 88
Amulet 127 Chaotic Neutral 74, 90 Encounter Adjustments 75
Appearance 8, 10, 23, 25 Character buttons 15 Encumbrance 24, 73
Area Map 22-23 Character Record 13, 25 Equipment 126-131
Area of Effect 98 Charisma 75, 85, 136-137 Ettercap 63
Armour 29, 126, 143 Class 9, 23, 85 Experience 83, 140
Armour Class (AC) 23, 77 Cleric 86 Experience Points (XP) 83, 140
Attack 14 Cloak 127 Export 27
Attack Roll 76 Clock 13, 71
Axes 92, 129 Cloud Peaks 38 F
Combat 76 - 82
Faerûn 38
B Conjurer 88
Fatigue 28, 72
Backstab 16, 95 Constitution 85, 135-136
Feldepost’s Inn 50
Baldur’s Gate 43 Containers 22
Fighter 86
Bard 87 Critical Hits and Misses 78
Fighting 72
Bard Song 17 Cursors 13-14
Find Traps 16, 92
Bear, Black 62 Customer Service Info 7
Flaming Fist, the 44
Bear, Brown 62 Customise 26
Friendly Arm Inn, the 50, 51
Bently Mirrorshade 58
Beregost 48 D G
Blade and Stars, the 45 Dexterity 78, 85, 135-136
Blunt Weapons 92, 130 Gameplay 11, 28
Dialogue 15, 72
Blushing Mermaid, the 46 Gauntlet 127
Dialogue Window 20
Boots 127 Gellana Mirrorshade 59
Diviner 88
Bow 92, 128 Gender 8
Dog, Wild 67
Bracers 127 Ghast 63
Donate 21
Burning Wizard, the 49 Ghoul 64
Drinks 21
Buy 21 Gibberling 64
Drizzt 57
Girdle 127
Druid 86
Gnoll 65
Dryad 63
Gnome 8, 65, 84
Dual Class 9, 26, 83
Gold Pieces (gp) 23, 33, 35

152 ™
Graphics 27 J Multiplayer: Explorable Area 34
Group Buttons 18 Multiplayer: Exporting 27
Journal 13, 23
Group Gold 23, 33, 35 Multiplayer: Importing 33
Jovial Juggler, the 50
Guard 15 Multiplayer: Join 30
Gullykin 51 Multiplayer: Loading Time 34
K Multiplayer: Options 31-33

H Kelddath Ormlyr 59 Multiplayer: Party Gold 33, 35

Kobold 65 Multiplayer: Permissions 32
Half-Elf 8, 84
Multiplayer: Protocol 30
Halfling 8, 85
Hall of Wonders, the 44 L Multiplayer: Requests to Join 32
Multiplayer: Saving 34
Harpers, the 52 Large Sword 92, 129
Healing 21, 81 Lawful Evil 74, 90
Helm and Cloak, the 47 Lawful Good 74, 89 N
Helmet 127 Lawful Neutral 74, 90 Name 10
Help Wizard 20 Lay Hands 17, 93 Nashkel 51
Hit Dice (HD) 93 Level Up 26, 140 Necklace 127
Hit Points (hp) 23, 81-82 Levels 140 Necromancer 88
Hobgoblin 65 Load Game 27 Neutral Evil 74, 91
Human 8, 84 Locks 14 Neutral Good 74, 89
Lore 94 Neutral, True 74, 91

I
Identify 22, 93, 102 M O
Illusionist 88 Mage 87 Ogre 65
Importing 32 Mage Spell Book 13, 27 Ogrillon 66
Initiative 76 Mages of Halruaa 55 Options 13, 27-28
Infravision 29, 93, 102 Magic Resistance 94
Information 26 Magical Items 78, 132-134
P
Inns 20 Maps 13, 22
Paladin 86
Intelligence 85, 137-138 Melee Weapons 142
Paper Doll 23, 24
Intoxication 29, 73 Missile Weapons78, 79, 92, 130, 142
Paralysis 82
Inventory 13, 23, 25 Morale 80
Pausing 28, 71
Invoker 88 Movement 13, 72
Personal Initiative Round 71, 76
Iron Throne, the 52 Multiclass 9, 83, 88-89
Pick Locks 95
Item buttons 17 Multiplayer 29-35
Pick Pockets 14
Item Properties 25 Multiplayer: Asynchronous 34
Poison 73, 82
Multiplayer: Character
Arbitration 31 Polearm 131
Multiplayer: Chatting 34 Portraits 8, 13, 19
Multiplayer: Create 31 Potions 132

™
153
 Priest 86 Schools of Magic 97, 140 Taverns 20
Priest Spell Scroll 13, 27 Scripts 26 Temples 20
Proficiencies 9, 91-92 Scrolls 132 Tethtoril 46, 60
Protect 15 Secret Doors 92 THAC0 77
Protection from Evil 94, 117 Select All 13, 18 Thalantyr 49, 60
Selection 13 Thief 10, 87

Q Sell 21 Thieving 16, 95, 139

Shadow Thieves 54 Three Old Kegs, the 47
Quest Experience 83
Shapechange 17, 93 Time 68 , 69
Quick Formations 18
Shield 126-127 To Hit Number 77
Quick Item 16, 23, 24
Sirine 66 Toril 38
Quick Spell 16
Skeleton 67 Transmuter 88
Quick Weapon 16, 23, 24
Skeleton Warrior 67 Travelling 14
Quitting 27
Small Swords 92, 128 Turn 70
Sound 28 Turn Undead 16, 95
R Spears 92, 131
Race 8, 84 Special Abilities 17, 92-95 U-V
Racial Enemy 10, 93 Specialist Wizard 87
Ulraunt 42, 61
Raising the Dead 82 Specialisation 94
Use Item 17
Range 98 Speed Factor 76
Volo 58
Ranger 86 Spell Disruption 79
Rate of Fire 79 Spells 10, 14, 27, 99-126, 141
Recovery 81 Spider, Giant 63 W
Red Sheaf, the 50 Spiked Weapons 92, 128 Wand 132
Red Wizards 53 Staff 132 Warrior 86
Reform Party 26 Statistics 26 Weapons 91, 128-131
Remove Traps 95 Steal 21 Wisdom 85, 137-138
Reputation 74, 75, 144-147 Stealth 16, 95 Wizard 87, 96
Rest 18, 23, 25 Stop 18 Wolf 67
Ring 127, 132 Stores 20 Worg 67
Rogue 87 Strength 78, 85, 135-136 World 22
Roll of Years 68 Sword Coast 38 World Map 22
Rooms 21
Round 71 X-Y-Z
Rumours 21 T
XP 83
Taerom "Thunderhammer"
Fuiruim 49, 59 Xvart 65
S Talk 15, 72 Zhentarim, the 54
Save Game 27 Tasloi 65
Saving Throws 79-80, 98

154 ™
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Thank you for purchasing Baldur’s Gate. If you are experiencing difficulties with this
title, please take advantage of the following product support. Please note that all our
operators only speak English and that we are unable to give gameplay hints through
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Technical Support : + 44 (0)207 551 4266

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Address : Customer Services Department

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W1P 1LR

LIMITED WARRANTY
In the unlikely event of a software fault please return the complete package, with
your receipt, to the original place of purchase. Interplay disclaims all responsibility for
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Note: If you have any problems in obtaining any System Information please consult
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™
155
 NOTICE

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INTERPLAY’S WORLD WIDE WEB SITE

"Welcome to the Interplay Web! As a company dedicated to providing
innovative, high quality interactive entertainment software, we are
always striving to stay as close as possible to the leading edge of
technology. This Web site is designed to provide a wealth of information
and opportunities to you. As a company of fanatic gamers, we love the
idea of gamers all over the world tapping into cyberspace to see, touch
and feel our latest games. To make it work, our goal is to keep this site
fresh and new, to make it a place where you can tell US what you like
about our game and what you don’t like about them! Enjoy your visit to
our web site, explore all the different areas we have to offer, and come
back soon. Keep checking us out as we introduce new and exciting
areas for you to experience.
Once again, Welcome!"

Brian Fargo

To find us

www.interplay.com

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BALDUR'S GATE Tales of the Sword Coast™: ©1998/99 BioWare Corp. All Rights Reserved. BioWare Infinity Engine ©1998 BioWare Corp. All Rights Reserved. Baldur's Gate™, Baldur's Gate Tales of the Sword Coast™,
FORGOTTEN REALMS®, the FORGOTTEN REALMS® logo, ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®, AD&D, the AD&D logo, and the Wizards of the Coast logo are trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary
of Hasbro, Inc., and are used by Interplay under license. Black Isle Studios and the Black Isle Studios logo, Interplay, the Interplay logo, are trademarks of Interplay Productions. All rights reserved. BioWare, the BioWare logo,
and The BioWare Infinity Engine are trademarks of BioWare Corp. All rights reserved. Dolby, the Dolby Surround Logo and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Creative,
Environmental Audio, and the Environmental Audio Logo are trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd. Windows®95 and Windows®98 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. All other copyrights and
trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Exclusively distributed by Virgin Interactive Entertainment (Europe) Ltd. Virgin is a registered trademark of Virgin Enterprises Ltd. All Rights Reserved.